To own a beautiful diamond brooch is an amazing find, but to purchase one that was, in the past, worn by French royals can be awe-inspiring. In fact, that was how The Louvre Museum felt when they purchased the diamond brooch from an American couple in New York.The Louvre, which is the former royal palace, is now the premier museum in France. It houses a number of impressive works of art, as well as precious objects from the former French Royal family.
Although the couple from the United States did not want to be identified, it was announced by the Louvre that it paid $10.7 million for the antique brooch. It is believed that the diamond brooch, which was purchased in 1887 when the crown jewels were sold off, had been held by the same owners, or family of owners, since that time.
It is speculated that the diamond brooch was purchased in 1887 for the queen of New York Society, Caroline Astor. The Astor family then maintained ownership of the brooch for more than a century. The item was purchased for a little over $100,000 by Emile Schlesinger, a jeweler working for the Astor family.
Initially, the historical diamond brooch was placed for auction in New York. While the Louvre purchased the item from the auctioneers, the transaction was completed through a private endeavor which stemmed from legal complications surrounding the sale. To fund the acquisition, the Louvre received a private donation of five-million Euros to go along with the museum’s funds. It was not immediately known why the Astor family placed the Empress Eugenie diamond brooch for sale.
Also known as the Empress Eugenie’s brooch, the diamond brooch, was created during the 19th century. Francois Kramer, a Parisian jeweler, was the one to make the unique diamond brooch for the wife of Napoleon III.
The history of this brooch, as well as its initial owner, played a large part in its price. Empress Eugenie was the last Empress of the French. Originally born is Spain, she became the wife of Prince Louis Napoleon, the president of the Second Republic.
Although her reign was not met with ease, her style, beauty, elegance, and charm helped contribute to the European fashion at the time. During that time, she was graced with the finest jewelry and latest couture from Charles Worth.
The diamond brooch, which is bow-shaped, comes complete with two tassles that dangle below the bow. It stands 4.33 inches wide and 8.66 inches long and weighs more than 140 carats. In total, the diamond brooch has an amazing combination of 2,634 white and pink diamonds.
When first created, the diamond brooch was only intended to be the diamond bow, and was intended to be worn as a buckle on a belt. However, it was later transformed into the brooch, or a stomacher, at the request of the Empress. Later, the two diamond tassles and five diamond pendants were added to the piece.
Once the French Third Republic took control after overthrowing the Empress and her husband, they sold all of the French Crown Jewels, except the Crown of Empress Eugenie.
In addition to the diamond brooch, another piece of the French crown jewels is the Crown of Empress Eugenie. Although she never underwent the coronation process, nor did her husband, there was a crown created for her.
As it were, the French were not as attached to their crown jewels as other monarchs, like the English. Still, the Crown Jewels are a treasure to the French people.
Another piece of the French Crown Jewels that is on display at the Louvre is the massive Regent diamond, as well as the Royal French Blue diamond and the Sandy diamond. The Royal French Blue diamond was cut after it was taken and created what is now known as the Hope Diamond.
For whatever reason, the Hope Diamond is now associated with bad luck. It is believed that each owner has been faced with some sort of tragedy, whether it is a divorce, suicide, death, or mental problems. The Hope Diamond was once owned by Marie Antoinette and has had a bevy of notable owners.
However, the importance surrounding the acquisition of the diamond brooch is that it is one of the last pieces of the French Crown Jewels that is still intact. Now, it returns to the same place where it was sold over one hundred years ago.
Already back in France, the diamond brooch will soon join the other pieces of the French Crown Jewels, which are on display in the Apollo gallery. As a piece of national treasure, the president of Christie’s Europe, the company which negotiated the sale of the diamond brooch, was thrilled to assist in a sale of national importance.
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