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Dynastic Jewels

Upcoming exhibition

Power, prestige and passion, 1700-1950

  • Full price: €13

    The usual free tickets apply

  • General public

  • Gives access to the state rooms and loggia of the Hôtel de la Marine

  • Bookings open soon

presentation

Highlighting the significance of jewellery as an enduring expression of power and status, while emphasising its sentimental value and role as a mark of royal favour, the exhibition presents pieces associated with the reign and legend of some of the most notable figures in European history including Empresses Catherine the Great, Joséphine Bonaparte, Marie-Louise, Eugénie and Queen Victoria. From legendary gemstones and historic tiaras to spectacular brooches, diadems and necklaces, it presents resplendent pieces intended to be worn in the opulent settings of Europe’s royal courts, where they could articulate the status, heritage and authority of their owners.

The third in a trilogy of exhibitions held in collaboration with the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, this exhibition brings together rare, important and historic jewels from the collections of both the V&A and The Al Thani Collection, many of which are on display in France for the first time. 

The exhibition is complemented by loans from other renowned institutions including the Historic Royal Palaces thanks to the generosity of His Grace the Duke of Fife, Musée du Louvre, Muséum national d'histoire naturelle, Musée de Minéralogie Mines Paris – PSL, and the heritage collections of Cartier, Chaumet, Mellerio and Van Cleef & Arpels.

curated by

Curated by Dr Emma Edwards, Project Curator, Victoria and Albert Museum.

Exhibition organised by

The Al Thani Collection Foundation and the Centre des monuments nationaux in collaboration with the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

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Exhibition highlights

Queen Victoria Coronet ; London, 1840-42 Designed by Prince Albert; made by Kitching & Abud ; Sapphires, diamonds, gold and silver ; V&A: M.20:1-2017 ; Purchased through the generosity of William & Judith, Douglas and James Bollinger as a gift to the Nation and the Commonwealth

© Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Necklace and Earrings of Stéphanie de Beauharnais, Grand Duchess of Baden; Probably Marie-Etienne Nitot, Paris, c. 1806; Emeralds, diamonds, gold, silver; Necklace: 41 x 6 cm; Earrings: 20.5 x 20 cm; Victoria and Albert, M.3, A to B-1979, Gift of Countess Margharita Tagliava;

© Victoria and Albert Museum, London

4. Corsage Brooch of Princess Mathilde; Mellerio, also known as Meller, Paris, c. 1864; Diamonds, gold, silver; 14.5 x 10.8 x 5.1 cm; The Al Thani Collection, ATC452;

© The Al Thani Collection, 2018. All rights reserved. Photograph by Prudence Cuming Associates Ltd

3. First Class Badge of the Royal Order of Victoria and Albert R & S Garrard (badge); Tommaso Saulini (cameo), London (badge); Rome (cameo), c. 1862-1964; Onyx cameo, diamonds, rubies and emeralds, paste gems, gold, silver; 8.8 x 4.3 x 1.4 cm; Victoria and Albert Museum, M.180-1976;

© Victoria and Albert Museum, London

© The Al Thani Collection, 2018. All rights reserved. Photograph by Prudence Cuming Associates Ltd

Portland Tiara; Garrard, London, c. 1889; Sapphires, diamonds, pearls, gold, silver; 8.5 x 21 x 24.5 cm; The Al Thani Collection, ATC019a

Russia, c. 1790; Diamonds, gold, silver, glass; 3.9 x 1.5 x 1.5 cm; Victoria and Albert Museum, M.156-2007; Gift of the American Friends of the Victoria and Albert Museum through the generosity of Patricia V. Goldstein

© Victoria and Albert Museum, London