The “Empresses” capsule collection of one-of-a-kind pieces will launch in September as part of Bergdorf Goodman’s “Collector’s Cabinets” exhibition.
Piedmont, Italy—In September, Francesca Villa will launch her latest one-of-a-kind capsule collection, which utilizes early 19th century medals of Napoleon Bonaparte and his two wives, Joséphine and Marie-Louise.
The “Empresses” capsule features five one-of-a-kind pieces that transform historical artifacts into contemporary high jewelry.
The necklaces, rings, and pin celebrate love, memory, and reinvention through Villa’s lens while exploring and preserving a fascinating and complex historical love story through the medals.
Napoleon married Joséphine, his first wife, in 1796.
She was a widow and entered the marriage with two teenage children, but after a decade without producing an heir for Napoleon, who had since become emperor, he had their marriage annulled, according to History.com.
By 1810, he wed Marie-Louise, who gave him a son that would later become the King of Rome.
Villa was immediately captivated when she discovered the antique medals she would use in the capsule from a collector in Scotland who helps Villa source antique pieces for her creations.
Medals featuring portraits and meaningful symbols were issued throughout Napoleon’s life to commemorate major events, such as military victories and defeats, marriages, births, and coronations, according to Museums Victoria.
“I have always been fascinated by the lives objects have lived before they find us. When I discovered these medals, I couldn't stop imagining the hands they had passed through and the stories they had witnessed over nearly two centuries,” said Villa.
“With Empresses, I wanted to preserve that history whilst giving each piece a new beginning. For me, jewelry is never simply something to wear; it is a way of carrying memory, emotion, and love through time.”
The “Lovers” ring featuring medals with images of Napoleon and Joséphine accented by sapphires, peridot, and enamel in 18-karat yellow gold (all pieces are price upon request)
The Empresses collection showcases the medals set in 18-karat yellow gold and paired with hand-painted enamel along with diamonds, pearls, Paraíba and pink tourmalines, topaz, sapphires, peridots, and chalcedony beads.
At the heart of the collection are the two necklaces, one for each empress.
While the medals are positioned to face the front, the reverse reveals hand-painted enamel flowers that expand on the meaning of each piece.
Marie-Louise’s piece depicts violets, a flower closely associated with the Napoleonic court, while Joséphine’s has a rose as a tribute to her enduring love of the flower.
The “Empress Marie-Louise” necklace centers a medal with an image of Marie-Louise set in 18-karat yellow gold surrounded by enamel, diamonds, blue topaz, and pink tourmaline, while pearl and diamond flowers accent the pearl strand, and a Napoleon medal hangs from the clasp. The reverse (right) depicts enamel violets.
The 18-karat yellow gold “Empress Joséphine” necklace showcases a medal with an image of Joséphine with enamel, pearls, and tourmaline. Pearl and diamond flowers accent the bead strand with a Napoleon medal on the clasp, and the reverse (right) displays an enamel rose.
The brand said the smaller Napoleon medal suspended from each clasp in these two necklaces creates a subtle dialogue between Napoleon and each empress, preserving a connection that endured across centuries.
Meanwhile, the “Lovers” ring connects Napoleon and Joséphine, with two medals placed side by side to celebrate their enduring bond.
A “Napoleon” pin showcasing a medal depicting Napoleon’s back surrounded by diamonds, amethyst, sapphires, and pearls in 18-karat yellow gold
Medals depicting an image of Napoleon alone are set in a ring and a pin, with the ring using materials that echo the French tricolor of blue, white, and red, the emblem of France that rose to prominence during the Revolution and became synonymous with the Napoleonic era.
The Empresses collection is slated to launch on Sept. 1 and will be available exclusively at Bergdorf Goodman.
It will be on display as part of the retailer’s “Collector’s Cabinets” exhibition located on the jewelry floor through September.
