Imperial, extravagant, audacious, refined; the Romanov legacy is one of sinners and saints gathered beneath a watchful court of golden stars. These pieces are inspired by the lavish coronations and gilded secrets of the House of Romanov.
legacy & lore
Ensconced in St. Petersburg tucked far away from fields lain fallow and harsh Russian winters, the Romanovs existed in a cycle of masquerade balls and elegant ballets. Upon coronation, the Tsar would hold God's will in his right hand and declare his commands heavenly ordained—a mixta persona.
And yet, placed upon such a lofty pedestal, where were the Romanovs to go but toppling over the edge? A red storm stole the palace, the family, the centuries-old legacy in one sharp blow.
But the legend of Anastasia Romanov's escape continues to enchant the world a full century later.
“I dreamed that I was loved. I woke and found it true."
the rise & fall of a romantic empire
The delicate labyrinthine design of Fabergé eggs and ghosts of the grand palace design. Portraits and diaries, letters to the Tsar Nicholass II known as Papa and smuggled diadems rich with sapphires. Stories of a gentle Grand Duke Konstantin and his young lover, Yatsko.
We create from the myth of Romanov as much as the reality because where aristocrats have fallen,
there is always lore to be spun.
konstantin earrings
These resplendent earrings are inspired by the Grand Duke Konstantin, who from childhood was more interested in art, music, and writing than any sort of military upbringing.
While he married Princess Alexandra of Saxe-Altenburg, he filled his diaries with devotion to his true love, a young man named Yatsko.
The original edition contains sapphire blue stones while the limited edition's stones contain a subtle tint of green, elegant and serene.
Jewelry fit for a Coronation
coronation cuff bracelet
In a court gleaming with gold, harboring extravagance down to the finest detail, this hand-engraved cuff is elegantly rendered to add a kiss of refinement to any ensemble.
This, combined with the Coronation Chandelier Earrings featured in our opening image, harken back to Mikhail Romanov who was bestowed the Russian crown in 1613, becoming the first Tsar of Russia from the House of Romanov.
We like to think these refined pieces would be chosen by the court for this coronation.
mixta persona stud earrings
These vintage hand-painted intaglios depict a golden saint in front of a blue sky, surrounded by a shimmering gallery of stars.
The name of the earrings, Mixta Persona, stems from a traditional Russian coronation in which the ruler was considered “part priest and part layman, but never fully whole.”
inspired by the crown of a tsar
Coronation Hoop Earrings
With a band of golden filigree and three citrine-colored glass stones, these earrings are inspired by the first Tsar Mikhail Romanov’s Russian crown—regal, elegant, and timeless.
Antiqued gold over brass with three, citrine-colored German glass stones dangling from the end.
About Fallen Aristocrat
Fallen Aristocrat is a jewelry line inspired by travel, history, and imperfect things that tell a story. Handmade in the United States, the jewelry is cast in brass and luxuriously plated in antiqued gold for a storied look of time.
Designer Paula Danyluk, owner of the renowned Paris Market in Savannah, Georgia, has long been drawn to things with a past. Musing on her own personal collection of vintage charms and French coins, she set out to create a new generation of heirloom jewelry by creating pieces that feel at once extravagant and everyday, modern with a vintage appeal.
Our debut collection of Fallen Aristocrat is named the First Empire and features four series: Bonaparte, Romonov, Museum, and Lover’s Eye—but we've added on others since. Explore them in our collections at the top of the site!
All fine photography is by Jamie Beck, featuring model Louis Pascal at Chateau Gudanes in 2018.