An early 19th century diamond monogram brooch

An early 19th century diamond monogram brooch, the diamond-set 'A' beneath a coronet on blue enamel ground, set within two surrounds of smaller and larger graduated old cushion-shaped diamonds suspended from a diamond scroll, in open and closed-back silver and gold mount, 5.7cm high, case

Provenance: Family tradition holds that the brooch was given as a gift by Maria Feodorovna, Duchess Sophie Dorothea of Württemberg; Empress consort of Russia (1758-1828), second wife of Tsar Paul I to John Delaware Lewis (1774-1841). Delaware Lewis was an American merchant who operated in St. Petersburg for approximately thirty years. His son John Delaware Lewis (1828 - 1884) was a member of Parliament from 1868-1874. Thence by descent to its current owner.

The 'A' monogram probably refers to Alexander I, Tsar of Russia (1801 - 1825).

Reference: For a similar example, see exhibit no. ?-294 at the Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg. The ring was acquired from the collection of Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich (1850-1908).