Empress Josephine's Tiara on Display in the Houston Museum of Natural Science's "Faberge: A Brilliant Vision" Exhibition

"Empress Josephine Tiara" (also known as "The Leuchtenberg Diamond Tiara"
Photo Copyright Faberge Though demure in size (5.2" wide), this commanding diamond, silver, and gold tiara makes up for its size in remarkable craftsmanship, exquisite gemstones, and a luxuriant history. Its story goes beyond the creation of the tiara by the Russian artisan, Carl Peter Faberge. The frame, crafted in silver and gold, was made for the House of Faberge in the 1890s by August Holmstrom. Mr. Holmstrom served Gustav and Carl Faberge as chief jeweler for over 45 years and is credited with crafting some of Faberge's most outstanding jewels. The fascinating briollete-cut (drop-shaped) diamonds once belonged to Tsar Alexander I, who presented them to Empress Josephine of France, perhaps in payment for some historical paintings {cited: Faberge.com}. This magnificent tiara, with its rich history, its graceful Russian lines, and its remarkable design, is now on public display in the Houston Museum of Natural Science's "Faberge: A Brilliant Vision" exhibition. A cursory glance at the literature does little to settle the matter of who hired Carl Faberge to create the tiara. One record reports that its provenance begins with Queen Elisabeth of Belgium {cited}. Another states that Queen Elisabeth's husband, King Albert I, purchased the tiara in Switzerland at the end of World War I from the 1st Duke of Leuchtenberg, Eugene de Beauharnais {cited: Faberge.com}. It is absolutely certain that Duke de Beauharnais had the stunning diamonds in his possession at that time, if not the tiara, for Empress Josephine would have passed them down to her eldest son upon her death in 1814. Since this later transaction would have taken place in 1918, it stands to reason that the tiara was created by Faberge for the Duke, who then sold it intact to King Albert I, who gave it to his wife. Prince Charles Theodore of Belgium inherited the tiara at his mother's death in 1934, and from there the tiara traveled to Italy upon his death in 1983. There, his sister, Maria Jose, Queen of Italy, enjoyed the marvelous jewel until her death in 2001. In 2007, Queen Maria Jose's daughter, Princess Maria Gabriella of Italy, released the tiara to Christie's, where it was sold to Arthur and Dorothy McFerrin for $2,071, 389. Mr. and Mrs. McFerrin are avid collectors of Faberge. Their private collection is hailed as one of the most extensive and important Faberge collections in the world. For the second time, Mr. and Mrs. McFerrin have generously released a portion of their collection (over 350 pieces, including several Faberge Eggs and other objects d'lux) to the Houston Museum of Natural Science until December 31, 2013. The exhibition is open to the public daily from 9:00am to 5:00pm (last entry 4:00pm) for a price of $15 for adults. For directions, special price brackets, and more, please visit the HMNS website.