If there is one thing we can learn from the European Reformation period, apart from archaic customs of androcentrism and distinguished capitalist interests between lords, knights, and peasants — are remarkable women, whose shrouded agendas shaped societal progression. As such, among the esteemed, is Queen Marie-Amélie who was also the niece of the infamous Marie Antoinette — a royal socialite known for her iconic indulgence, and the inherent tastemaker of Parisian provocative luxury.
Photo: BBC
Weighed against her aunt’s regal opulent taste, Queen Marie’s reputation spans ahead of her charitable work and pious lifestyle, in addition to her repertoire as the last queen of renaissance France. Nonetheless, by virtue of her noble birth, she owned her own cache of luxuries, with one collection in particular taking the spotlight today — a diamond-encrusted sapphire tiara sold to the Louvre Museum in 1985, which has since made headlines as a stolen treasure in one of the most lucrative heists of modern history.
Decadence At A Cost
There have been surmounting reports with regards to the Louvre heist that impertinently took place on Sunday, and disarmingly during broad daylight. It has since sent the world into tumult, questioning motives and probing an idea of the mastermind behind the discourteous burglary. Inadvertently, the heist execution has exposed not only the vulnerabilities of one of the world’s most guarded institutions, but also the audacious intelligence of those who dared to challenge it.
Photo by Simon Gough | Pexels
Nonetheless, the Louvre remains a beacon of heritage grandeur, and the keeper of Parisian renaissance. In turn, mirrors affluence, endowed with true objects of desire and have since become one of the more illustrious tourist landmarks. Subtlety here gives way to spectacle, and thus, for the collective — it is a spectacle that transcends time and place. A time capsule that explores the groundworks of innovation, historical milestones, philosophy, and much to its direct uncompromising, enchantment — distinguished art and accoutrement.
The True Worth Behind the Louvre Heist
In hindsight, such lavish custodianship comes at a cost far beyond its appraised worth, acknowledging the essence of vessels imbued in patronage, identity, centuries of craftsmanship and power. Here is a closer look at the true value behind the Louvre Heist. Authorities estimate the haul at more than $102 million, a figure that excludes their immeasurable historical worth.
Empress Eugénie’s Pearl Tiara
The tiara’s history is as glittering as its gemstones — a reflection of France’s shifting tides between empire and republic. Once part of the French State Treasury, France reclaimed it after Napoleon III’s exile in 1870, when he and Empress Eugénie sought refuge with Queen Victoria. In 1890, Prince Albert von Thurn und Taxis acquired it as a wedding gift for Archduchess Margarethe Klementine of Austria, bringing it into one of Europe’s time honoured noble houses.
Nearly a century later, it reappeared in the dazzling orbit of Countess Gloria von Thurn und Taxis, the infamous “Punk Princess,” whose flamboyant life contrasted sharply with her later years of austerity. Following her husband’s death in 1992 and the burden of immense debt, the tiara was sold once again — ultimately returning to the Friends of the Louvre.
The Corsage Bow Brooch Belonging to Empress Eugénie’s Collection
Among the stolen treasures, two stand out for their extraordinary valuation and imperial provenance.The Louvre acquired the first, a Corsage Bow Brooch from Empress Eugénie’s collection, as one of its most prized treasures — reportedly paying 6.72 million euros (over $10 million at the time), according to the Fondation Napoléon.
The Emerald Necklace and Earring Set Keepsake to Marie-Louise
The second, an emerald necklace and earring set that once belonged to Marie-Louise, Napoleon Bonaparte’s second wife, joined the museum’s collection in 2004, acquired for 3.7 million euros ($4.3 million).
The Sapphire Tiara, Earrings, and Necklace of Queen Marie-Amelie, the last queen of France, and Queen Hortense Eugénie Cécile Bonaparte.
When Queen Marie Amélie of France died in 1866, many regarded her as the last living link to the golden age of the French monarchy. Queen Marie and Queen Consort Hortense Eugénie Cécile Bonaparte of Holland (a reigning noble in the early 1800s) was among the royal figures to adorn the diamond-and-sapphire jewellery set stolen from the Louvre.
Believed to have belonged to Marie Antoinette, the set included a diadem adorned with 24 Ceylon sapphires and 1,083 diamonds, which could be detached and worn as individual brooches.
Photo by Una Laurencic | Pexels
In his vision for a New Renaissance, President Emmanuel Macron has since vowed to transform the Louvre — a renewal estimated to cost between €700 and €800 million. This was in response to an appeal from the Louvre officials, rallying support towards restoring and renovating the museum’s ageing exhibition halls — a move aimed at better preserving and protecting its priceless works of art.
(Images from La Coquette Parisienne)
