edwardslovelyelizabeth: “The Empress Josephine Tiara” (also known as “The Le
edwardslovelyelizabeth: “The Empress Josephine Tiara” (also known as “The Leuchtenberg Diamond Tiara”), c.1890, Carl Faberge.This stunning tiara, known as The Empress Josephine Tiara, was made around 1890 by famed Russian jeweler Carl Faberge. Though Empress Josephine never wore this tiara, she did own several of the briolette diamonds.The fascinating briollete-cut (drop-shaped) diamonds once belonged to Tsar Alexander I, who presented them to Josephine on one of his visits when he was staying in France in 1814. Joel A. Bartsch, president of the Houston Museum of Natural Science, says the diamonds are remarkable for their size, clarity, and perfection, considering they are early 19th century stones.During the weeks following the collapse of the French Empire, Josephine entertained not only Tsar Alexander I, but also many European dignitaries from surrounding countries. It seems that Alexander and the other rulers were eager to assure Josephine that they considered her altogether separate from her estranged husband, who had been exiled to the Island of Elba. Alexander’s first visit was more political in nature than anything. He had embarked on a personal mission to secure peace in Europe, and now that Bonaparte was dethroned, making friends with France’s beloved Empress would ensure France’s continued cooperation with his efforts. However his later visits were sparked by the very same thing that held Napoleon captive, her charming confidence. It is said that the two took many walks together, and Josephine probably confided in him some of her biggest fears in the wake of such tumult in France. The Treaty of Fountainbleau, which sent her estranged husband into exile on the Isle of Elba, reduced Josephine’s customary allowance to one million francs a year. While this remained an extremely generous sum, it belied the true concern of her heart. What would happen to her children upon her death?In a letter following his first visit, Alexander wrote to Josephine: “It is with the keenest regret that I noticed your Majesty had some anxieties; but I have every reason to hope that you will convince yourself that they have no foundation. Though I do not wish to exploit the permission you have been kind enough to accord me, Madame, I look forward to presenting my respects to you on Friday at your dinner hour”. Alexander would visit that Friday and several more times that spring. Several sources confirm that Alexander brought gifts for the Empress and that among these gifts were the briolette diamonds. During one such visit, the Empress caught a chill on a morning walk with the Tsar.Unfortunately, that dreaded event came far sooner than anyone could have anticipated. Within six weeks of Alexander’s first visit to Malmaison, Josephine lay dying. It is unclear whether her anxieties were alleviated before her death, but shortly after her funeral Alexander purchased from Josephine’s children a significant portion of the paintings and sculptures from Malmaison for installation at the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. This generous act, which at least one writer supposes was a trade made for the diamonds, not only provided security for her children, but also established the Tsar’s appreciation for Josephine and her exquisite taste in art.x -- source link
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