In March of 1791, Queen Marie Antoinette prepared for her escape from France. According to accounts written by her lady in waiting, Madame Campan, the queen spent an entire evening in the Tuileries Palace wrapping her diamonds, rubies and pearls in cotton and secreting them in a wooden chest.
Marie Antoinette wasn’t able to avoid her appointment with Madame La Guillotine, but the wooden chest remained intact. The cache of jewels made its way to Brussels, and then to Vienna, where it reached safety in the hands of the Austrian Emperor, Marie Antoinette’s nephew.
In October of 2018, this cache of royal jewels reached Sotheby’s New York. When they asked me if I wanted to come see the Bourbon Parma collection before it went back to Europe, it was a piece of cake to say oui.
This ring was from Marie Antoinette’s personal collection. It features the doomed Queen’s initials – MA – in diamonds and contains a lock of her hair.
More than one of you messaged me after I posted a video of this ring on my Instastory, asking if I was going to clean my finger with Holy Water or visit an exorcist to make sure that Marie Antoinette wasn’t going to haunt me for trying on her ring, but I absolutely loved getting to handle this piece. Seeing Marie Antoinette’s hair – which is completely encased and did not touch my skin – made me feel the strongest connection to her.
She may be a legendary historical figure but she was also just a woman, like me, who had hair and also fingers. That shouldn’t be such a mind-blowing thought, but it is.
In 1795, Marie Antoinette’s only surviving child, Marie-Thérèse de France (1778-1851), “Madame Royale,” was released and sent to her family in Austria. Upon her arrival in Vienna in 1796, she was given her mother’s jewels by her cousin, the Austrian emperor. Since she never had children of her own, Madame Royale bequeathed part of her jewelry collection to her niece and adopted daughter, Louise of France (1819–1864), Duchess of Parma and grand-daughter of Charles X, King of France (1757-1836), who in turn left them to her son, Robert I (1848-1907), the last ruling Duke of Parma.
This incredible fleur-de-lys tiara was part of the Bourbon Parma jewels. It’s basically a family history in diamonds: made by Hübnerin around 1912 for Archduchess Maria Anna of Austria (1882-1940), the tiara uses diamonds removed from a badge of the Royal Order of the Holy Spirit, a French order of chivalry founded by King Henri III in 1578. The insignia was originally owned by Charles X, Marie Antoinette’s brother-in-law. The empty frame of the Royal Order of the Holy Spirit jewel is also part of the Bourbon Parma jewels auction (see it here).
You know I love a good tiara, and oh my goodness, this is a GREAT one. See it in a video here.
This exquisite natural pearl and diamond pendant is probably the most iconic jewel in the sale and definitely the most valuable, with an auction estimate of $1-2 million. It was also a personal piece belonging to Marie Antoinette herself, and is emblematic of the doomed Queen’s particular love for pearls and diamonds.
I don’t generally get hot and bothered over pearls, but this one is an exception. Holy moly.
I keep wanting to introduce each piece by saying “this was one of my favorites!!” but really that applies to every piece here. If something wasn’t one of my favorites, I didn’t ask the fine folks at Sotheby’s to take it out of the case.
This one, though. Can you even? It’s a ruby and diamond brooch/HAIR ORNAMENT (capitalized due to extreme awesomeness) that belonged to Archduchess of Austria Maria Anna of Austria, the lucky Bourbon Parma descendant who also wore the fleur de lys tiara. It was made in 1900 by Bachruch and the center stone is a 6.89-carat Burmese ruby. It is heart-stoppingly gorgeous.
I’m not sure that any one of these pieces is quite worth going to the guillotine for, but they’re definitely extraordinary. This eighteenth-century brooch is another one from Marie Antoinette’s collection – at least, the bow component of it definitely is. The yellow diamond is thought to have been added on later.
I usually have to work hard to capture all-diamond pieces, but this brooch was all HELLO HERE I AM, TAKE MY PICTURE. Just look at all those delectable antique facets. Perfection!
Could this antique diamond necklace be any more perfect?
Five of these diamonds belonged to Marie-Antoinette, and many more came from the sword of the Duke of Berry, son of Charles X and father of Louise (assassinated by an anti-royal Bonapartist in 1820).
This extraordinary thing is a badge of the Order of the Golden Fleece, the most prestigious and exclusive order of chivalry in the world. This Golden Fleece belonged to Louis Antoine of Bourbon, Duke of Angoulême (1775-1844), who married Marie-Antoinette’s daughter, his cousin.
It is believed that Louis Antoine received the Order of the Golden Fleece to honor his participation in the Spanish expedition of 1812, through which his cousin, Ferdinand of Bourbon was restored as absolute king of Spain.
The middle segment of this jewel represents the oriflamme, a traditional French royal symbol, with a sapphire flanked by ruby flames. Beneath hangs a ram in gold and diamonds.
It is spectacular. And HUGE. I love it.
This remarkable collection goes to auction at Sotheby’s Geneva on November 14th, I highly recommend you prepare yourself to bid on these pieces of history if you possibly can. And keep an eye on my IG for videos!
Thanks again to Sotheby’s for inviting me to view this remarkable collection and for being so lovely while I was in town! Now, to end, here’s
Here’s a gallery of Bourbon Parma jewels images from Sotheby’s! It includes pictures of some of the auction lots I didn’t show you and additional pictures of some of the ones I did show you. I figure we all want to see as many pictures of these as possible.
All of the Bourbon Parma history in this post is c/o Sotheby’s experts, as are the photos in the gallery at the end.
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Rivka alice pretty
Las joyas de la reina María Antonieta deberían estar en un museo expuestas a la admiración del público, por ser un gran y valioso legado histórico y por tratarse de semejante personaje de la historia francesa.
YEARS AGO I HAD A BEAUTIFUL, ADORABLE CAT. HIS REAL NAME WAS BOOPA. HE LOVED WEARING JEWELRY. LOVED IT! MY FRIENDS AND I USED TO DRESS HIM UP IN NECKLACES. HE LOVED IT. WE USED TO CALL HIM “THE DIAPHANOUS DAUPHIN OF PARMA”. “WITH DUCHIES AND HOLDINGS IN BRUSSELS AND FFRANCE”. HE LOVED, LOVED DRESSING UP IN SPARKLE.
wow
That’s an exquisite piece of Jewelry! The ruby and diamond brooch especially caught my eye!
Ooh yes! I love that brooch so much.
Beautiful and eye-catching pieces of jewelry.
Indeed they are, aren’t they?
Are there any front, back and side pictures of the Marie Antoinette blue diamond engagement ring ????? It’s maddening the only pic available is a top view!!
Unfortunately I’ve never seen that one! I would happily take a million pictures of every angle of it for you if I had the chance.
That would have been the only wish on my bucket list to be able to touch history however briefly. Its not the value to me, its the person, the story just getting into the zone. Marie is one of my favorite historical persons. Interestingly enough most have also lost their heads. I would love to just sit all by myself on The Petit Trianon . Thank you for sharing your experience this precious collection
It almost brings a tear to my eye as a custom jewelry designer to see these exquisite pieces of custom jewelry carrying the history of the one’s who once wore these. This is why I started making all kinds of custom jewelry! From custom engagement rings to custom necklaces. Nothing carries a story like your own custom piece of jewelry
They’re just stunning, aren’t they?? The craftsmanship is mind blowing.
I was really intrigued with all those beautiful jewelry pieces. Which leads me to my next question. I have a beautiful mourning brooch from early 20th century, King George V & Queen Mary reign. Small turtle brooch with ruby eyes, body is jade and 18 rose cut diamonds encompass the turtle. Would you have any recommendations or idea as to who I could possibly contact to get history on it. The leather box it’s in is dated 17th February 1928. Be more than happy to send you photos of it.
It sounds wonderful!! I recommend contacting my friend Nicholle of Jewelry Nerd. She’s a Gemologist and does antique jewelry authentications – there’s nobody better at accurately identifying a piece of jewelry.
Here is her Instagram, it has contact information: https://www.instagram.com/jewelrynerd/?hl=en
Best,
Becky
Just sent a comment but had the wrong address. So sorry.
No worries!! It happens to all of us 🙂
This is my first post to you. Love the Marie Antoinette ring and noticed your lovely engagement ring and wedding band. I thought , is that her ring? It looks absolutely regal. What a fine acquisition, right up there with your other post. Really enjoyed your post. I am joining up. You appeared because I have a pearl board.
and have a replica of MA’s pearls I bought at Versaille
AW thank you so much! I’m so glad you enjoyed the post – and my wedding set. I do love them too.
xoxo,
Becky
Oh my goodness! Be be blessed with these extravagant pieces….I don’t think Zi could ever let them go! I would totally sport that rung! A great conversation piece indeed!
Aren’t they extraordinary?!?! I loved getting to see them!
You lucky duck. I’d be tempted to never wash my finger again. You held Marie Antoinette’s hair and jewels in your hand.
When I went to France in college in the late 90s, I went to this medieval fortress/castle built around a Roman fort. There was a crumbling wall built by the Romans where some of the rocks had become part of the gravel path. I picked up a small stone that had at one time been part of the wall. (I wouldn’t have taken a piece of the wall itself.) I gave it too my dad. He marveled that he was touching a stone that a Roman had also touched. It’s really cool to touch a piece of history that we know someone from hundreds of years ago had also touched.
Not many people have held or worn Marie Antoinette’s jewels. It’s really aw that you’ll always be part of their story.
Oh so cool! I love that story about the Roman wall: I love that kind of thing.
I spent 5 hours on a bus to be in NYC for just 18 hours before getting back on a bus for 5 house to see the Marie Antoinette jewels and I’d do it again in a heartbeat. I’m so glad you enjoyed seeing them too!!
I wish to have one of these beautiful pieces <3
Me too!! Talk about a dream piece. So beautiful, and so much history.
I’m absolutely THRILLED you had this opportunity, Becky. SO tremendous! The jewels are truly spectacular. I wish you could have the tiara….. xo
Oh my goodness, me too!!! Thank you for supporting my tiara dreams, as always.
xoxo,
Becky
I’ll be right back–after I rise from the fainting couch in the corner. Yowzah!
Ahaha right?? After I left Sotheby’s, I went to a little deli nearby and literally just sat in a corner staring at my sandwich for an hour. My mind was melted.
I don’t blame you one bit–my mind would have melted as well (and did melt, the one and only time I saw Buccellati jewelry up close and personal).
Ooooh Buccellati is definitely mind-melt worthy.
You know it! The biggest surprise was when the nice sales associate fastened a beautiful little mass of rose-cut diamonds around my wrist. I almost wigged out.
Oh my goodness, how delightful!! That sounds like quite the visit.
It was. I still don’t have the bracelet (that visit was a little over three years ago), but it’s nice to know I was touching and wearing a portable work of art.
Totally! It lives on forever in the jewelry box of your heart.
That one is right up there with the Verdura cuff I tried on the same day. (I was in Beverly Hills with my mother, we started eyeballing jewelry six ways to Sunday, and the rest, as they say, is history.)
Oooooooh Verdura. I can only imagine! You’re a lady after my own heart, as always.
Yes, Verdura–it was one of the Maltese cross cuffs (thank you, Mademoiselle Chanel, for making them famous), and I couldn’t believe I was wearing such a marvel right next to my skin. I’m pretty sure I’d have a similar reaction to virtually anything from Seaman Schepps.
Loved your article! What an amazing
Experience for you… thank you so much for
Sharing! 🌷
Thank you so much, Linda!! It really was an incredible experience and I’m so glad you enjoyed reading about it.
Hi I’m from Brazil and I discovered this jewel Instagram wourld a feel time, why you can try this jewels? Thank you and escute my inglish.
Escuse 😊
Sotheby’s was kind enough to invite me to the auction preview because they know I’m a jewelry blogger! Welcome to my blog and I hope you enjoy the gorgeous jewels 🙂
astonishing pieces in their own right, but with the historical aspect added to them, really breath-taking. it’s not often that one gets to wear an item belonging to an iconic historical figure; when it happens, it feels rather eerie. what a wonderful opportunity to experience firsthand the glamour and fragility of a celebrated (and vilified) person…
my favourite might be the tiara, as a sort of ne plus ultra of its category, but they were all glorious. and that order of the golden fleece…stunning.