PROVENANCE OF THE IMPERIAL SAPPHIRE PARURE
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.
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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 on the right side Queen 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.
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.
Sapphire and Diamond Collier: Octagonal step-cut sapphires, rose and old-cut diamond, gold, circa 1800; 6 sapphires Sri Lanka - The largest sapphire for an approximate weight of 14.5-15.5 carats. The 10 sapphires for a total approximate weight of 70-75 carats. The diamonds for a total approximate weight of 36-39 carats
Sapphire and Diamond Diadem Tiara : EARLY 19TH CENTURY IMPORTANT SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND TIARA Octagonal step-cut and oval-shaped sapphires, rose and old-cut diamonds,gold, circa 1800, 49.0 cm, 11 sapphires, Ceylon Gross weight: 244 gr.- 11 sapphires, Ceylon. The diamonds for a total approximate weight of 50-60 carats.
Sapphire and Diamond Pendant: EARLY 19TH CENTURY SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND PENDANT Oval-shaped sapphire, old-cut diamonds, gold, circa 1800, 3.6 cm approximately 17.70x12.40x4.10 mm, Gross weight: 7 gr.- The sapphire for an approximate weight of 6-7 carats. The diamonds for a total appoximate weight of 2.5-3.0 carats.
Sapphire and Diamond Pendant: EARLY 19TH CENTURY SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND PENDANT Octagonal step-cut sapphire, old-cut diamonds, gold, circa 1800, 3.2 cm, approximately 14.30x12.70x4.90 mm, Gross weight: 7 gr.- The sapphire for an approximate weight of 8.2-8.8 carats. The diamonds for a total approximate weight of 2.0-2.5 carats
Large Sapphire and Brooche: EARLY 19TH CENTURY SAPPHIRE AND DIAMONDBROOCH Oval-shaped sapphire, old-cut diamonds, gold, circa 1800, 3.7 cmapproximately 24.70x16.70x4.30 mm, SriLanka,Gross weight: 21 gr.- The sapphire of 13.5-14.0 carats. The diamonds for a total approximate weight of 12-14 carats
Sapphire and Diamond Brooch - Ornament : EARLY 19TH CENTURY SAPPHIRE AND DIAMONDBROOCH Octagonal step-cut sapphire, rose and old-cut monds, gold, circa 1800, 3.6cm Gross weight: 6 gr.- The sapphire for an approximate weight of 2.5-3.0 carats. - The diamonds for a total approximate weight of 1.4-1.6 carat
Sapphire and Diamond Earrings: EARLY 19TH CENTURY SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND EARRINGS Pear and cushion-shaped sapphires, old-cut diamonds, gold, circa 1800, 4.4cm 3 sapphires Sri Lanka; 1sapphire . Gross weight: 19 gr.- : The sapphires for a total approximate weight of 14.5-15.5 carats, Sapphire drops partly backed, smaller sapphires fully backed.- The diamonds for a total approximate weight of 4.5-4.8 carats,
Sapphire and Diamond Bracelet: EARLY 19TH CENTURY SAPPHIRE AND DIAMONDBRACELET Octagonal step-cut sapphires, old-cut diamonds, gold, circa 1800, 17.5 cm approximately 11.60x10.50x5.20 mm, SriLanka - Gross weight: 47 gr.-The sapphires for a total approximate weight of 31-33 carats.- The diamonds for a total approximate weight of 11-12 carats.
Sapphire and Diamond Ring: EARLY 19TH CENTURY SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND RING Octagonal step-cut sapphire, single and old-cut diamonds, gold, circa 1800,ring size 6½ Grossweight: 10 gr.- The sapphire for an approximate weight of 11.5-12.5 carats- The diamonds for a total approximate weight of 1.3-1.5 carat.
