Diadem
ca. 1808 (made)
On display at V&A South Kensington
Jewellery, Rooms 91, The William and Judith Bollinger Gallery| Artist/Maker | |
| Place Of Origin |
This Tiara or diadem is part of a Neo-classical parure, or set of jewellery, made of ancient Roman engraved gems. It is said to have been given to the Empress Josephine of France by Napoleon’s sister Caroline Murat, who became Queen Consort of Naples in 1808. It is more likely that she simply gave the stones and that Josephine later had them mounted in France.
The 19th century was a period of huge industrial and social change, but in jewellery design the focus was often on the past. In the first decades classical styles were popular, evoking the glories of ancient Greece and Rome. This interest in antiquities was stimulated by fresh archaeological discoveries. Goldsmiths attempted to revive ancient techniques and made jewellery that imitated, or was in the style of, archaeological jewellery.
The 19th century was a period of huge industrial and social change, but in jewellery design the focus was often on the past. In the first decades classical styles were popular, evoking the glories of ancient Greece and Rome. This interest in antiquities was stimulated by fresh archaeological discoveries. Goldsmiths attempted to revive ancient techniques and made jewellery that imitated, or was in the style of, archaeological jewellery.
object details
| Categories | |
| Object Type | |
| Materials and Techniques | Gold diadem, decorated with enamel and mounted with carnelian intaglios |
| Brief Description | Carnelians set in enamelled gold, Paris, set about 1808, intaglios mostly 100 BC–AD 200, with some 18th-century stones in the diadem, probably carved in Italy |
| Physical Description | Gold diadem, decorated with enamel and mounted with carnelian intaglios, mostly Roman, 100 BC -200 AD, with some 18th century stones probably carved in Italy |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Credit line | Private Collection |
| Object history | This Tiara or diadem is part of a Neo-classical parure, or set of jewellery, made of ancient Roman engraved gems. It is said to have been given to the Empress Josephine of France by Napoleon’s sister Caroline Murat, who became Queen Consort of Naples in 1808. It is more likely that she simply gave the stones and that Josephine later had them mounted in France. |
| Summary | This Tiara or diadem is part of a Neo-classical parure, or set of jewellery, made of ancient Roman engraved gems. It is said to have been given to the Empress Josephine of France by Napoleon’s sister Caroline Murat, who became Queen Consort of Naples in 1808. It is more likely that she simply gave the stones and that Josephine later had them mounted in France. The 19th century was a period of huge industrial and social change, but in jewellery design the focus was often on the past. In the first decades classical styles were popular, evoking the glories of ancient Greece and Rome. This interest in antiquities was stimulated by fresh archaeological discoveries. Goldsmiths attempted to revive ancient techniques and made jewellery that imitated, or was in the style of, archaeological jewellery. |
| Collection | |
| Accession Number | LOAN:MET ANON.97-1968 |
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| record created | August 1, 2007 |
| Record URL |