Regards,
Dave.
At long last, I was finally able to go to Fontainebleau, to see the exhibition of the Al Thani collection "Rois du monde - Art et pouvoir royal à travers les chefs-d'œuvre de la collection Al Thani", which lasts until Monday 8 October.
The exhibit is presented in the Ball Room of the Château, with a rather elegant scenography: the showcases imitate the original décor of elaborate wood panelling covering the walls. Since most pieces are displayed near the windows, the sheer curtains let the bright sunlight through, creating a most unusual effect, especially on jewels.
Much to my dismay, photography was strictly forbidden, so I will use images from various sources to illustrate the jewels shown.
Some well-known pieces from the Al Thani Collection were shown, such as the "Rose" brooch of Princess Mathilde Bonaparte, by Mellerio dits Meller, c. 1864-65.
(© The Al Thani Collection, 2018. All rights reserved. Photograph by Prudence Cuming Associates)
I love how the old-cut stones can absorb light, looking almost saturated at times, as can be seen in this photo:
(© Christophe Comoy Instagram @comoylaplace)
Other jewels were more of a surprise: the diamond tiara of Princess Maria Francesca of Savoy and the emerald necklace of Princess Hélène of Orléans were displayed as they could have been worn, a very successful way to present such exceptional (and big!) jewels, if you ask me.
(© Sylvère-Henry Cissé Instagram @cissesh)
According to the catalogue, this impressive Diamond Tiara with "fleurs de lys" was made by Petochi, in Rome, c. 1935-1939. It was a wedding gift from King Victor Emmanuel III to his daughter Princess Maria Francesca (1914-2001) on her 1939 wedding to Prince Louis of Bourbon Parma. The diamonds came from the treasury of the House of Savoy.
(© Philippe Commenges Instagram @expertphilippecommenges)
I don't think the tiara ever appeared in public auction, so how and when it was acquired by the Sheik Al Thani is a bit of a mystery.
I only found one photo of the tiara being worn, taken at the wedding of Prince Guy of Bourbon Parma (Maria's son) and Brigitte Peu-Duvallon, in Cannes (France), 7 July 1964.
(© Alamy)
The better-known Emerald necklace of Hélène of Orléans, Duchess of Aosta is also in the Al Thani Collection, it was last sold publicly at Christie's Geneva, 10 November 2015.
Possibly French, early 19th century. Wedding gift from Henri of Orléans, Duke of Aumale.
The necklace actually looks much better "in the flesh" than on photographs: the emeralds are staggeringly beautiful: rich coloured, brilliant, and of exceptional purity.
(© Christie's)
Another very impressive emerald jewel was the "Catherine the Great Emerald Brooch" (sold Christie's New York, 22 April 2010). The hexagonal emerald weighs no less than 60 carats!
(© The Al Thani Collection, 2018. All rights reserved. Photograph by Prudence Cuming Associates)
Another stone with a reported imperial provenance was this Sapphire and diamond pendant-brooch, 19th century composite. By family tradition, the 43.27 cts sapphire belonged to Empress Joséphine (Sold Sotheby's Geneva 14 May 2013; later (c. 2014) with the Gallery Martin du Daffoy, Paris; The Al-Thani Collection)
The sapphire has lots of inclusions and looks duller than it does in photographs, and to be honest, relying on the stone's appearance only, I doubt it ever belonged to Joséphine.
(© Sotheby's)
Back in 2014, Arthur on the RJWMB had photographed the brooch at the Biennale des Antiquaires, in the shop of Martin du Daffoy, a Parisian expert from whom the Sheik could have acquired it.
(© Arthur, RJWMB)
Also on display, a very recent addition to the collection: the tiny 'Maria Fitzherbert Jewel', a diamond-glazed locket containing a portrait of the Prince of Wales (George IV). London, circa 1800. (Sold Christie's London, 6 July 2017)
(© Christie's)
Other precious-looking objects were displayed, such as the delicate Telescope of King Farouk of Egypt. Switzerland, 19th Century, Gold, Diamonds & Enamel.
It was advertised by the M.S. Rau Antiques Gallery, in New Orleans, as having (possibly) been made for Empress Joséphine…
(© Photos M.S. Rau Antiques)
One of my favourites was this exceptional Bust of Emperor Hadrian. Head, probably southern Italy, c. 1240 and Bust, Venice, c. 1550-1600. Chalcedony, silver gilt, enamel and pearls.
(©The Al Thani Collection. 2018. All rights reserved. Photograph by Todd White Art Photography)
Quite as lavish: the Miniature monument commemorating Emperor Charles VI's coronation in 1711, Vienna, 1711-1713.
(© The Al Thani Collection. 2018. All rights reserved. Photograph by Todd White Art Photography)
Finally, a piece that doesn't quite belong to this world: The Duke of York's extraordinary candelabrum, depicting 'Hercules killing the Lernean Hydra', made by Edward Farrell (1779-1850), England, 1824-1825. It was part of a larger ensemble, some elements of which are at the V&A Museum in London. (Sold Christie's London, March 2017)
(© The Al Thani Collection. 2018. All rights reserved. Photograph by Prudence Cuming Associates)
(© Christie's)
In short, it is a magnificent display, in one of France's most impressive royal treasures, fit to showcase a fraction of what must be, at this time, one of the most important art collections in the world.
The one thing I dislike about the Collection is its strange policies: no photos (even the auction notices of some of these objects are no longer illustrated), few scientifically-researched information available about the artworks (especially regarding provenance), and expansive catalogues, not to mention little communication to the press, save for a few photos with brief notes and extensive copyright mentions!
GOOD TO KNOW (nonetheless…):
For our American fellows: the exhibition will travel to the Legion of Honor Museum in San Francisco (3rd November 2018 – 24th February 2019).
PS: Tinypic is currently down, so I hope the pictures will appear in their original HQ dimensions. Let me know if there is any problem.
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