Fürstin Josephine von Hohenzollern Sigmaringen | Princess of Baden | Saphir-Diamant Diadem History | Imperial Royal Sapphires Queen Hortense of Holland
Diamond and sapphire crown that belonged to Queen Maria II of Portugal, in the portrait of the queen at Palácio Nacional da Ajuda, Lisboa, the monarch is seen wearing the crown as well as a sapphire brooch and sapphire bracelet
A cord in writing, found between the boxes of jewels, stated that these sapphire jewels were given to Grand Duchess Stephanie of Baden, by her cousin Hortense de Beauharnais, Queen of Holland.
Such an origin is very likely. In many paintings Queen Hortense of Holland, and her mother Empress Josephine, can be seen wearing precious belts. Furthermore, Hortense’s financial papers, which are kept in the Napoléon archive in Paris, give evidence of her fortune between 1817 and 1837, the year she passed away. They show that she left Paris in 1816 with little money, but a lot of jewellery.
Queen Hortense Holland Sapphire Parure | Imperial Jewels| NAPOLEON Bonaparte
After Grand Duchess Stephanie’s of Baden death in 1860 the sapphire parure described as
‘necklace, pendant, earrings, seven pins and a belt’
was inherited by Stephanie’s second daughter, Josephine, Princess of Hohenzollern Sigmaringen.
See at the coronation picture, the sisters of Napoleon Caroline, Pauline, Elise and Hortense are in court gown with „jeweled belts“ and „bandeau head ornaments“ also stetted with large pins of precious centers, like the brooches and pins.
Queen Hortense Holland Sapphire Parure | Imperial Jewels| Beauharnais NAPOLEON Bonaparte
Under Napoléon’s court, belts decorated with precious stones were part of any jewellery parure, as fashion dictated that the waist was very high on dresses and court ladies needed a belt which was placed just under the décolleté. More about the history:
Grand Duchess Alice of Hessen by Rhine Strawberry Leaf Diamond Tiara |History Strawberry Leaf Tiara | Designed by the Prince Albert, consort of Queen Victoria, for his daughter Princess Alice of Great Britain and Ireland |RoyalJewels
Sapphire-Cabochons: I. oval shaped cabochon sapphire: 260,37 ct (It was bought by Alexander II. at the occasion of the “Exposition Universelle” in 1862 in Paris for his wife Maria-Alexandrovna.) II. oval shaped cabochon sapphire: 197 ct III. oval shaped cabochon sapphire: 161 ct Facetted sapphires: IV. cushion shaped Ceylon sapphire: 249,35 ct V. cushion shaped Ceylon sapphire: 142,00 ct VI. oval shaped Ceylon sapphire: 65,18 ct
Schmuck und Juwelen der Deutsche Fürstenhäuser | Royal Jewels – Historical Jewerly and Treasure of Royals and Aristocracy | bijoux historiques| исторические драгоценности