Empress Eugenie’s Feuilles de Groseillier brooch courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd., 2014.
Empress Eugenie by Franz Xaver Winterhalter, 1853 courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd., 2014.
Empress Eugenie’s Feuilles de Groseillier brooch, which has not been seen at auction for over 125 years, comes up at Christie’s, Geneva on November 11. The brooch, part of one of the most beautiful parures of the 19th century, was commissioned by Empress Eugenie to Bapst Jewellers in 1855. It is designed as a cluster of three openwork currant leaves centering upon a larger cushion-shaped diamond, suspending three detachable articulated pampilles, set throughout with old mine-cut diamonds. This jewel is a stunning example of the exceptional quality of the creations of Bapst Jewellers and is estimated at CHF 1,900,000-2,900,000 / $2,000,000-3,000,000.
In 1870 at the fall of the Second Empire Eugenie and her husband, Napoleon III, moved to England leaving most of the crown jewels behind. In 1887 the French government conducted at 12 day auction of the jewels and all the belongings of the French Royal Family. Several of the larger pieces were broken up. The brooch was bought by Tiffany and Co., the largest buyer at the auction. Decades later it was gifted by New York’s Metropolitan Opera to Madame Lucrezia Bori (1887-1960), the Spanish soprano who performed leading roles in 39 operas during 20 seasons at the Met. She was the first performer elected to the Board of Directors. She bequeathed the brooch to the Metropolitan Opera and it has been there since.