Jacques-Ambroise Oliveras

Gold, cameo and enamel diadem, belt clasp and belt ornament, circa 1805, some cameos possibly ancient

Auction Closed

December 7, 11:28 AM GMT

Estimate

100,000 - 200,000 GBP

Lot Details

Description

Property from a private British Collection - Lots 1 – 15

From an Important Private Collection

Jacques-Ambroise Oliveras | Gold, cameo and enamel diadem, belt clasp and belt ornament

circa 1805, some cameos possibly ancient

The diadem adorned with five oval hardstone:

possibly late 16th century, cameo with the head of Medusa

probably 18th century, cameo with a profile of of Zeus

probably 18th century, cameo with a bust of Pan

probably 18th century, cameo with a head of Bacchus

possibly late 16th century, cameo with Gaia nursing a baby

All within a border of blue enamel and connected by two rows of undulating entrelac de ruban motifs, each with a blue enamel lozenge motif at the centre, French assay marks and maker’s mark, accompanied by a belt clasp of similar design, adorned with: possibly late 16th century, an agate cameo with the head of Medusa,

and a belt ornament adorned with:

1780-1800, a hardstone cameo with a profile of Zeus, 1780-1800,

mounted within a gold and blue enamel border, French assay mark, original fitted case.

By tradition Joséphine Bonaparte, Empress of France (1763- 1814);

Possibly acquired from the Empress Joséphine (or her estate) by Lord Edward Lascelles, “ Beau Lascelles” (1764-1814);

Thence by descent to his grand-niece Catherine, Mrs Granville Edwin Lloyd-Baker (1841-1890);

Thence by family descent to the present owner

For further research and illustrations of this lot please see:

Claire Phillip, Jewels and Jewellery, England, 2019, pg. 72-74

Shirley Bury, Jewellery 1789-1910, Volume I 1789-1861, England, 1991, pg. 166

Geoffrey Munn, Tiaras A History of Splendour, England, 2001, pg. 36-37

Mémoires de Mlle. Avrillion, première femme de chambre de l’Imperatrice, ed. Maurice Dernelle, (1986)

De Pompeii à Malmaison: Les Antiques de l’Impératrice Joséphine Exhibition catalogue, Malmaison 2009

France in Russia: Joséphine’s Malmaison Collection Exhibition Catalogue, Courtauld Institute, London 2007

An Englishman in Paris, 1803, Journal of Bertie Greatheed, eds. J. Bury & J, Barry (1953)

Mémoires de Mlle. Avrillion, première femme de chambre de l’Imperatrice, ed. Maurice Dernelle, (1986)

De Pompeii à Malmaison: Les Antiques de l’Impératrice Joséphine Exhibition catalogue, Malmaison 2009

France in Russia: Joséphine’s Malmaison Collection Exhibition Catalogue, Courtauld Institute, London 2007

An Englishman in Paris, 1803, Journal of Bertie Greatheed, eds. J. Bury & J, Barry (1953)