AT THE VICTORIAN AND ALBERT MUSEUM, Two parures of cameos and intaglios and a collection of hardstone jewellery and an ivory box
These rare and impressive parures dating from the early 19th century illustrate the influence of Classical antiquity on jewellery design which began to take hold during Napoleons rise to power from the fall of the Directoire up to the Hundred Days. Illustrating a lightness of design devoid of the excesses of the Ancien R?gime, such jewels are rare; tastes changed after the fall of Napoleon and jewels moved away from these simpler classical lines, being remodelled and re-fashioned to the dictates of fashion. The two diadems closely follow the form of Spartan diadems, while the lightness of the gold, devoid of gem-stones favouring simple embellishments of blue enamel, would have been the perfect accompaniment to the Empire line favoured in fashion at that date, a fashion popularised by Napoleon's first Empress Jos?phine de Beauharnais (1763-1814). It is rare for complete suites of jewels from this period to survive intact in the original Empire settings, espec
Access
The objects will be on indefinite loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL ("the Museum")
- Right to view without prior appointment
- Lent to public exhibitions
- Shown at Albert Museum
The owner's binding undertakings
Undertakings pursuant to ?31(2) Inheritance Act 1984 Inheritance Tax Act 1984 1. I undertake with respect to each object and the Collection, that during my lifetime or until it is disposed of whether by sale or gift or otherwise: (a) to keep the objects and the Collections (as a Collection), permanently in the United Kingdom and not to remove it temporarily except for a purpose and a period approved by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC); (b) to take reasonable steps for its preservation; (c) to take the following steps to secure reasonable access to the public (i) the objects will be on indefinite loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL ("the Museum") (ii) if the loan to the Museum is terminated by the Museum, I shall agree with HMRC alternative arrangements for providing the public with access to the objects. I understand that, in such event, my failure to i…