Year :
|
c.1800-20 |
Material :
|
Gold, Natural Pearl, Seed Pearl |
Collection :
|
Private Collection |
Provenance : |
Mellerio dits Meller, Paris |
|
<Description>
Gold, Seed and natural pearl tiara, the base decorated with foliage, supporting a row of round pearls, with above a second row of pearls between gold trefoils, surmounted by a third row of pearls, then by a fourth row of pearls between trefoils, each crowned with a pearl at the top. In original box stamped with initials HMP and coronet. French, Mellerio 1800-1820.
<Commentary>
As suppliers to the Empress Josephine and to the wives of the dignitaries of the Imperial court of Napoleon, Mellerio must have created many tiaras and frontlets for formal events. This design, worn either across the crown of the head or at an angle to one side was worn in both the Empire and Restoration periods. The rows of well matched pearls with their lovely iridescence must have added to the beauty of the wearer. For similar, cf.H,Vever, La Bijouterie Francais au XIXe Siècle (1906)
p.85 and p.91
Diana Scarisbrick |
