Sparkle Plenty
Sapphire set of Queen Marie Amélie bought back by the Louvre in 1985.
Sapphire parure that belonged to Marie Amélie of Naples and Sicily (Maria Amalia Teresa; 26 April 1782 – 24 March 1866) who became Queen of the French while married to Louis Philippe I, King of the French.
The word “parure” originally referred to a set of three or more matching pieces of jewelry, but was later widened to include a suite of matching jewelry. Parures were most popular from around 1760 to 1830, particularly during the Napoleonic era. Queen Marie Amelie’s parure was designed and executed after Louis Philippe ascended the throne of France. The parure is a combination of sapphires, diamonds and pearls. The parure remained in the hands of Marie Amélie’s descendents until it was acquired by the Louvre in 1985, where it is on display in the Apollo gallery with other items from the French crown jewels.
There are many similarities between the parure above and that worn in a painting of Queen Marie Amélie by French painter Louis Hersent.
Portrait of Marie Amelia, Queen of France
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