Diana Dalziel Vreeland’s Story
Born in 1903 in Paris from an American mother and a British father, Diana Dalziel Vreeland inherited the typical high society charm and cosmopolitanism of the time. She wasn’t just a simple editor, yet one of the most influential figures of the 20th century, who was able to shape fashion through an unparalleled energy and unique vision.
After moving to the United States at the end of World War I, the Dalziel family quickly established themselves in elite circles. In 1924, Diana married Thomas Reed Vreeland, and the couple settled in London, where she opened a ladies’ boutique that attracted high-profile clients, including Wallis Simpson, the future Duchess of Windsor. During this time, Diana frequently traveled to Paris, forging connections with fashion icons like Coco Chanel and her jeweler friend Suzanne Belperron in 1926. By 1937, Diana returned to New York, where she began her successful career as an editor for Harper’s Bazaar, the renowned fashion magazine, where she took care of the column Why Don’t You…? that suggested daring and eccentric fashion ideas. In 1965, she was celebrated in the Hall of Fame as one of the world’s most elegant women. From 1962 to 1972, she led Vogue America as editor-in-chief, where her visionary influence on frashion didn’t go unnoticed. Her famous motto, “ugly is boring,” perfectly described her attitude towards life and creativity.
The Cup
During the wedding celebration in 1924, the Vreelands received a commissioned sterling silver centerpiece from Tiffany & Co. as a wedding gift.
The cup is a stunning example of elegance and craftsmanship, featuring a circular base, an engraved crest, and essential lines. It also shows an inscription celebrating the union of the couple: “DIANA DALZIEL – THOMAS REED VREELAND – MARCH 1 1924.” On the back, the crest of Scroll & Key, the prestigious secret society of Yale University to which Thomas Reed Vreeland belonged. The “Scroll & Key” is accompanied by the initials “C.S.P.” and “C.C.J.,” acronyms adopted by the fraternity.
Engraved around the base of the cup are fifteen crests in high relief, bearing the names of members of the Vreeland delegation of Scroll & Key. Prominent among the names are those of personalities who would achieve extraordinary success, such as Godfrey Stillman Rockefeller and Charles Shipman Payson.
Founded in 1842, the Scroll & Key society was famous thanks to its intellectual and literary spirit, selecting fifteen members of the junior class each year to lead the fraternity. The centerpiece cup is in fact a symbol of a union between two distinguished families and a connection to one of America’s most exclusive academic institutions. Tiffany & Co. has created a tribute that combines art, history and tradition.
View the full Antique and 20th Century Silver Auction Catalogue
Cover image: Photograph of Exhibit Developer Diana Vreeland Giving First Lady Betty Ford a Tour of the “American Women of Style” Exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art – Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
