On May 12, Christie’s Geneva will put under the hammer nine jewellery pieces – offered as individual lots – that belonged to Emperor Napoleon’s adoptive daughter, IDEX Online reports. May 2021 marks 200 years since the death of Emperor Napoléon I (1769-1821).
The pieces, including a tiara, a collier, a pair of earrings, two pendants and brooches, one ring and one bracelet, were owned by Stephanie de Beauharnais, Grand Duchess of Baden. Napoleon married Stephanie’s aunt, Josephine de Beauharnais, in 1796 and adopted Stephanie after her mother died. She became Her Imperial Highness Princess Stephanie Napoleon.
According to Christie’s, “a total of 38 sapphires originating from Ceylon were used to create this parure in the early 1800s. The collection also includes the important sapphire crown of Maria II Queen of Portugal, set with a remarkable Burmese sapphire in the center”. This sapphire crown is estimated at $180,000 to $370,000.
