Jewels
Marie Antoinette’s pearls are up for sale today. Lovely pictures and a little story have been provided by the Christies:
http://www.christies.com/presscenter/pdf/09282007/104419.pdf
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Some fifty years after Marie's death (1849) the jewels were made up into a necklace. It fits with what I read about recently about the 18th Century (and later presumably) tradition of wearing another's jewels. Some members of the Beau Monde are sometimes described as wearing Lady X's(or other important person) jewels. This sharing demonstrated friendships, associations and allegiances and family ties. Quite a nice idea I think - knowing they'd never be able to return the jewels the Sutherlands showed their continuing support. In any case, it would be a crime to leave such lovely things in a drawer.
http://www.christies.com/presscenter/pdf/09282007/104419.pdf
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Some fifty years after Marie's death (1849) the jewels were made up into a necklace. It fits with what I read about recently about the 18th Century (and later presumably) tradition of wearing another's jewels. Some members of the Beau Monde are sometimes described as wearing Lady X's(or other important person) jewels. This sharing demonstrated friendships, associations and allegiances and family ties. Quite a nice idea I think - knowing they'd never be able to return the jewels the Sutherlands showed their continuing support. In any case, it would be a crime to leave such lovely things in a drawer.