AuctionsNov 10, 2021
Marie Antoinette Bracelets Smash Auction Estimates, Selling for $8MAuctionsDec 08, 2021
Tiaras Linked to Joséphine Bonaparte Sell for $762K Total
Sotheby’s “London Treasures” auction featured several other jewels believed to have belonged to the empress.
This tiara by Jacques-Amboise Oliveras, which is believed to have belonged to Empress Joséphine Bonaparte, sold for £126,000 ($166,672) at Sotheby’s recent “London Treasures” auction.
London—Two tiaras believed to have belonged to Empress Joséphine Bonaparte were sold at auction Tuesday as part of Sotheby’s London Treasures sale.
Joséphine became the empress of France in 1804 when her husband Napoléon took the throne.
Both tiaras are part of parures and showcase the age’s Neoclassical style.
The jewels also provide a historical glimpse into Napoléon’s reign, featuring ancient Roman motifs, a favorite of the ruler as he looked to assert the legitimacy of his power in post-revolution France.
Joséphine became the empress of France in 1804 when her husband Napoléon took the throne.
Both tiaras are part of parures and showcase the age’s Neoclassical style.
The jewels also provide a historical glimpse into Napoléon’s reign, featuring ancient Roman motifs, a favorite of the ruler as he looked to assert the legitimacy of his power in post-revolution France.
This carnelian, enamel, and gold diadem, circa 1808, is believed to have belonged to Empress Joséphine Bonaparte.
The diadem is part of a parure, which also includes a hair comb, pendant earrings, and a belt ornament.
The carnelian, enamel and gold parure, circa 1808, seen above, had been on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum for the past century, said Sotheby’s.
The set includes a diadem set with 25 carnelian intaglios, as well as a pair of pendant earrings, a hair comb, and a belt ornament.
It sold for £450,660 ($596,133), well above its £200,000-£300,000 estimate.
The second tiara, seen at the top, is also part of a set.
It is gold with blue enamel and features five oval-shaped hardstone cameos that depict the Greek gods and goddesses Medusa, Zeus, Pan, Bacchus, and Gaia.
The tiara and the accompanying belt clasp and belt ornament were crafted circa 1805 and may include some ancient cameos, said Sotheby’s. The pieces are credited to Jacques-Amboise Oliveras.
The set sold for £126,000 ($166,672), toward the low end of its £100,000 to £200,000 estimate.
Other jewels said to belong to the empress as well as several cameos and intaglios were also included in the London Treasures sale.
A carnelian intaglio with Bacchus, also believed to have belonged to Empress Joséphine, sold for £52,920 ($70,002), well above its £10,000-£15,000 estimate.
A stone agate cameo of a warrior, thought to be either Hannibal or Pyrrhus, from the 17th or 18th century, set in a partially enameled brooch mount, was also said to have belonged to the empress.
It sold for £39,060 ($51,668), far above its £10,000 to £15,000 estimate.
A choker circa 1810, set with several cameos and intaglios, sold for £37,800 ($50,001), at the top end of its £30,000-£50,000 estimate.
A necklace circa 1800, featuring four carnelian animal intaglios, sold for £3,780 ($5,000), five times the high-end of its £500 to £700 estimate.
The top lot of the auction was a nautilus cup with Dutch silver-gilt mounts crafted by artist Jacob Claesz de Grebber in Amsterdam around 1628.
The cup sold for £1.8 million, more than double its estimated £600,000.
The lot with the highest pre-sale estimate was the earliest known example of a postage stamp, said Sotheby’s, known as the 1840 Penny Black.
Sotheby’s estimated the stamp would garner as much as £6 million, but it did not sell.
Overall, all but eight of the 30 lots were sold, including 10 selling within their estimates and 12 selling above.
The auction brought in a total of nearly £4 million ($5.3 million).
For more information about the auction results, visit Sotheby's website.
More on Auctions
The Latest
FinancialsSep 09, 2026
Signet Jewelers to ‘Double Down’ on Blue Nile Amid Strong SalesThe jewelry retailer said it sees opportunity at higher price points, particularly in natural diamonds for bridal and fashion.
IndependentsSep 09, 2026
Sarah Leonard Fine Jewelers Closes After Nearly 80 YearsThe Los Angeles-based, family-owned jeweler was founded by Lenny and Sunny Friedman in 1946.
SourcingSep 09, 2026
Fura Gems Notes ‘Remarkable’ Interest in Larger Rubies at Latest SaleThe auction, held in Bangkok, was 96 percent sold by lot, with nearly 411,000 carats of Mozambiquan rubies sold.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
MajorsSep 09, 2026
Stuller’s Latest Catalog Includes Its New Demi-Fine CollectionFine Jewelry 2027-2028 has more than 900 new styles, including silver, gold-filled, gold-plated sterling silver, and vermeil jewelry.
Weekly QuizSep 03, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesSep 09, 2026
8 Key Changes the FTC Made to the Jewelry Guides: A Refresher Learn more about the new terms for lab-grown diamonds and composite gemstones, and the major changes in store for precious metals jewelry.
IndependentsSep 08, 2026
Ricky Bromberg, Longtime President of Bromberg & Co., Dies at 67 Bromberg is remembered as a Southern gentleman who always wore a suit and tie and treated others with kindness.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
TrendsSep 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Hot Take on September’s Birthstone With high durability and a wide range of colors to choose from, sapphires may be the ultimate birthstone, Gizzi claims.
ColumnistsSep 08, 2026
Peter Smith: Humor Is No Laughing MatterLaughter is often considered a distraction in the workplace, but it has benefits for both staff and management, Peter Smith writes.
MajorsSep 08, 2026
Former Tiffany & Co. Exec Joins Exemplar Luxury GroupGretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.
IndependentsSep 04, 2026
Orloff Jewelers Will Soon Unveil a Bigger, Better LocationThe California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.
CollectionsSep 04, 2026
Chelsea Gabrielle Transforms Pilates Reformer Springs Into Ring A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2026
JCK Industry Fund Accepting 2027 ApplicationsThe deadline to apply is Nov. 13.
EditorsSep 03, 2026
Q&A: Simon G.’s CEO on Why He Won’t Use AI for Jewelry DesignZaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.
Events & AwardsSep 03, 2026
Here Are the First Recipients of Nina Pugliese Memorial Scholarship Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.
WatchesSep 03, 2026
Robert Pattinson Joins Jaeger-LeCoultre as Brand AmbassadorThe British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.
CollectionsSep 03, 2026
Sydney Evan Celebrates 25 Years With 4 New CollectionsThe “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.
CrimeSep 02, 2026
CA Jeweler Gets 5 Years in ‘Phantom Rolex’ Ponzi SchemeNelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.
MajorsSep 02, 2026
Messika Names Former Omega Exec as New President, CEO of AmericasArnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.
Events & AwardsSep 02, 2026
Emerald’s New Owner Introduces ‘Glitter in the Grove’The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.
AuctionsSep 01, 2026
UK Woman Uncovers Rare Patek Philippe Watch in Mom’s Jewelry BoxThe stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.
ColumnistsSep 01, 2026
Your Jewelry Marketing Has a Bridal ProblemEngagement rings are important but don’t ignore the customers who are buying jewelry “just because,” Emmanuel Raheb writes.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Kering Names New Pomellato, DoDo CEOsFormer Pomellato CEO Sabina Belli has been named president of Kering Italia amid a shakeup of Kering's new Jewelry division.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Anne Marie Shulman Joins GPA GlobalThe veteran luxury packaging executive was appointed to help the company grow its North American business.
CrimeAug 31, 2026
$4M Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Necklace Snatched From Vienna Museum Once the property of an Egyptian queen, the necklace was part of a larger exhibition of VCA jewelry at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK).
GradingAug 31, 2026
GIA, Gübelin Gem Lab Confirm New Paraíba Tourmaline Deposit in EthiopiaThe labs’ separate investigations each determined that the East African country is producing copper-bearing tourmaline.
