BAPST | DIAMOND NECKLACE, CIRCA 1860

The Maison Bapst was jeweller to the French Court during the Restauration (1815-1830) and the Second Empire (1852-1870). Jacques-Evrard and Christophe-Frederic Bapst created jewels for the Duchess of Angouleme, daughter of King Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette, niece of King Louis XVIII, such as the pair of ruby and diamond bracelets, the belt plaque and the emerald and diamond tiara, which are now exhibited in the Galerie d’Apollon in the Musee du Louvre. During the Second Empire, the Maison Bapst was also involved with the creation of exceptional jewels for Empress Eugénie, like the large reliquary brooch made in 1855 and also part of the Louvre collection.

The diamond necklace offered in this sale dates from the second part of the 19^th century, during the Second Empire, and can be dated after 1861, as the fitted case mentions the address 20 rue de Choiseul, where the Maison moved on that year.