Aluminum was an ideal material for theater props because of its light weight. This tiara, designed by René Lalique, was made for Comedie-Francaise actress Julie Bartet for her role in Racine’s tragedy Berenice. It consists of an aluminum frame, made from a series of lotus flowers and openwork palmettes, inset with five ivory plaques carved with scenes from the life of Berenice.
 
 
 
 

René Lalique
French, 1860–1945
The Berenice Tiara, 1899
aluminum, ivory, and garnets
H. 10 5/8 x W. 14 5/8 in. (27 x 37 cm)
Musée Lambinet, Versailles