The Anglesey Laurel Leaf Tiara, 1912

A gift from Sir Bache Cunard in 1912 to Lady Marjorie Manners on her marriage to the 6th Marquess of Anglesey.

Sir Bache Cunard (1851-1925) was the grandson of Samuel Canard who founded the successful Cunard shipping line. The baronetcy was created in 1859 by Queen Victoria and was inherited by Sir Bache upon the sudden death of his father. The wedding of Lady Marjorie Manners and Charles Paget, 6th Marquess of Anglesey was a glittering occasion with many important and interesting guests, Royalty, aristocrats from the leading families, and other luminaries including artists and writers such as J M Barrie all attended a ceremony performed by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The wedding, those in attendance and the extravagant gifts they gave was widely reported. The Marchioness was very glamorous and no doubt this tiara along with the historic Anglesey heirloom diamonds that became hers when she married were worn regularly. She was both a writer and illustrator authoring and co-authoring many books on art in her lifetime. Her husband became the 6th Marquess upon the death of his renowned cousin the 5th Marquess of Anglesey, who was famed during his lifetime for his exuberant personality and taste.

The Chronicle, Friday, August 12^th, 1912, ‘The Marriage of the Marquess of Anglesey to Lady Marjorie Manners, The Bride’s Presents’, ‘Sir Bache Cunard, hand-made beaten gold [*sic] wreath for hair’