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XL VI.
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THE PEAR AND SAVOY.
Set
in Pearls—A Popular Fiction Dispelled—The Pear and Savoy not one
Stone—The Shadows of Nadir Shah— Loss of the Pear in Persia.
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N
the inventory of the Crown Jewels of the House of Savoy, drawn up on
October 19, 1679, the first gem on the list is described as " a large
table diamond, set in a gold, black and \vhite enamelled rim, in the
antique style, weighing 54 carats, with three appended pearls,
pear-shaped, amongst which pearls is the 'Pilgrim,' weighing 45
carats,the other two 38 and 36 carats respectively. This gem was
bequeathed to the crown by Queen Christina of France by her will dated
April 5, 1662."
It
has been suggested that this gem, which we name the " Savoy," is the
same as Tavernier's " Pear ;" but although the weight, about 54 carats
each, corresponds, the shapes show that they are two different stones.
Tavernier's is described as "pear-shaped," whereas the " Savoy " is
stated to be table-cut, the pear form mentioned in connection with it
referring, not to the diamond itself, but to the accompanying pearls,
which are said in the inventory to be grouped
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