Empress Josephine Bonaparte’s Tiaras Surface For Auction After 150 Years
Image via Sotheby’s
Empress Josephine Bonaparte, best known for being the wife of French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, was a big fan of jewelry, fashion, flair, and pomp.
Now, two historic tiaras that once belonged to her will go up for auction at Sotheby’s London Sale in December.
The tiaras, made in Paris in 1808, are set with cameos engraved with classic figures. At the time, it was thought that these heads would offer the wearer with the qualities depicted: heroism, faithfulness, and love.
According to WWD, the relics were in the possession of a private UK collector, and are seeing the light for the first time in a century and a half.
“By being the first to incorporate these cameos and intaglios into her dress, wearing them side by side with pearls and diamonds, she created an entire new fashion that swept Paris and the world, based on Neoclassical forms,” said Head of Sotheby’s Jewels Department in London, Kristian Spofforth.
“The jewels offered here demonstrate the finest delicate work by the finest French workshops, and today, there are hardly any comparable pieces in the world.”
Image via Sotheby’s
As per Town & Country, the first tiara—which features carnelian, enamel, and gold diadem—is decorated with blue champlevé enamel and set with 25 carnelian intaglios engraved with the aforementioned classical heads. It’ll go under the hammer together with matching earrings, a comb, and a belt ornament set, all still in their original case.
The other artifact features five cameos of Zeus, Medusa, Dionysus, Pan, and Gaia, and will be paired with a belt clasp and ornament.
The two jewels are expected to sell for between US$410,000 and US$690,000 in total.
Image via Sotheby’s
[via Town & Country and WWD, images Sotheby’s]
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