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.

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.
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.
The Latest

The retailer’s new collection of engagement rings and fashion jewelry is set with natural diamonds that are traceable via blockchain.

The champagne colorway in her newest “Ombré” collection combines white and trendy brown diamonds, a departure from her usual vibrant hues.

Kosann partnered with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, to create a set of necklaces inspired by the artwork on samurai sword handguards.

The upcoming show provides savvy retailers with the opportunity to stock their cases with best sellers in advance of the holiday season.

Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo face life in prison for the October 2024 murder of 72-year-old Detroit-area jeweler Hussein Murray.


The brand’s first high jewelry collection, “Tempest” plays with movement while calling to mind the folklore of the sea.

Proceeds from its jewelry raffle will go to a volunteer-run fire and rescue group in the Lightning Ridge area of New South Wales, Australia.

Stuller said the recipients embody the company’s core values, which include community participation and personal and professional growth.

Citizen’s new “Rainell” women’s watch has a raindrop-shaped case and is available with a silver-, gold-, purple-, or green-colored dial.

Amit Pratihari was previously the managing director of De Beers India and Forevermark India.

Members of the Jewelers 24 Karat Club of Southern California will gain access to expanded services, resources, and connections, DCWC said.

Gomez’s jewelry included Tiffany & Co. drop-style earrings while Blanco stacked diamonds from Jacob & Co. on his wrist.

Diamond industry banking veteran Paul De Wachter will take on the role in January 2026.

Taylor Swift flaunts an Elizabeth Taylor-esque gemstone in promo for her new album, “The Life of a Showgirl.”

Its “Quantre Sand” capsule was made using a 3D sand printing technique borrowed from the automotive and aeronautics industries.

Four individuals have been charged in the “takeover-style” robbery of Heller Jewelers last month, and additional charges are expected.

“Radiance and Reverie” will showcase more than 150 jewels from Lane’s personal collection by Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and more.

The month’s birthstones, tourmaline and opal, complement the palette of autumn.

Smith shares the importance of looking at your company with openness and honesty to identify opportunities you may be missing.

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco visited Italy to spot jewelry trends at the September Vicenzaoro show and share her top finds.

Respondents were concerned about job availability and rising prices.

Its latest interim financials revealed a challenging first half due in part to production troubles at its mines.

Alexander Lacik has led Pandora since 2019. Berta de Pablos-Barbier will succeed him, the first woman to head the company.

Two men allegedly used counterfeit bills to purchase luxury watches and jewelry from a North Carolina jeweler.

The “Lovestruck” collection, designed with the Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings, is the brand’s first lab-grown diamond offering.

The brand, celebrating its 15th anniversary, has popped up at Market, a luxury fashion destination in Highland Park Village.