See the pearls on the upper left of this box? They belonged to Marie-Antoinette... And this obscene sapphire in the little black box? Louis the XIVth used to wear it! I know it's hard to believe but most of the French crown jewels (at least the ones that have not been stolen or lost for good during the French revolution) are to be found in this not much to look at box. How do I know? I've been fortunate enough to see them last evening at the French Mineralogy museum! But don't be jealous, you too can visit the place, even if you're not in Paris, thanks to the incredible website that this museum just released. Not only does it allow you to visit the virtual gallery, but also to "play" with some stones (10% of them for the time being) in 3D. Cherry on the cake; the website is even in English! Watch the trailer here.
Next time I'm in Paris, I'm definitely coming here! You show us the most exquisite stuff, Eric. And now for the links . . .
ReplyDeleteWell, I thought to myself, Eric must be at another fabulous dinner party…
ReplyDeleteI am glad I waited for this photo! These are just beautiful! Amazing that so few remain.
Alexa, I surely encourage you to visit the place, but I don't want you to be disappointed; normally these jewels are not to be seen...
ReplyDeleteMan, Eric has the world at his command, not just his suit!!!
ReplyDeleteWell, in that case, Eric -- double mercis to you for showing them to us here. (But I will visit anyway. I love this stuff.)
ReplyDeleteuselaine -- good one!
"don't be jealous, you too can visit the place"... Wait...These jewels are not to be seen? See! Once again you were privileged! :)
ReplyDeleteI loves gems. I'm quite uncultured about them but would love to study them...
I answer here for yesterday's questions, I'm sorry... :S
Tall Gary, it is. I was not interested in Law before last year, the things I love are art and art history. Law is compulsory to become an auctioneer and I discovered that I actually liked it.
Marylène, il faut tout connaître pour devenir commissaire priseur, l'examen peut tout aussi bien porter sur de l'archéologie du Moyen Orient que sur les pastels du 18ème siècle en France (sujet déjà tombé hahaha aaaarg). Ensuite c'est vrai que chacun se spécialise dans le domaine qu'il aime le plus, notamment en ce qui concerne les commissaires priseurs volontaires (et non pas judiciaires). Par exemple, l'un des commissaires chez qui je travaille est spécialisé dans l'art africain contemporain, l'autre dans les objets d'art des 18-19èmes siècles.
Wow, Eric, we are so lucky that, as the person who chose to start this blog, you have and take advantage of the great opportunities open to you. I'm sure that these are jewels that most people never get to see.
ReplyDeleteMy brother is a jeweler in the tradition of the oldest European jewelry houses. I am sure that he would be interested to see these gems. If anyone wants to see his work you can go to Mitchell Peck.com (sorry I don't know how to put in a link).
Check out, especially, the solid gold and enamel box in the custom works. Each piece, every tiny screw and nut, in these peices is made from gold or silver by hand. Many of the tools he uses, from tiny implements to furnaces, he has built himself.
I'm terribly partial of course, but I'm sure alot of you can appreciate what he has made. (Fun to look at even if its not in the budget!)
Eric, thanks for getting us a closeup of the goods often unseen by the public. You've got those French connections. If Louis were around today he'd find a way to have that incredible sapphire mounted in his bellybutton. Who'd blame him?
ReplyDeleteEric, thanks so much for the history lesson. Another elegant web site with tons of information.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the web site has this constant buzzing noise that is pure torture after about three minutes.
ReplyDeleteGuille -- alors, la loi, ca s'explique maintenant. C'est pour que tu puisses etre commisaire priseur??
ReplyDeleteAnd what will be your "specialty"?
Soooo pretty! And historic! Love it.
ReplyDeleteCool jewels! Can't wait to check out the museum's website (hope I can handle the buzzing David!). Since sapphires are my birthstone, I was eager to check out the one belonging to Louis XIV. I'm not too jealous though, as it looks like a little square of blue jello!
ReplyDeleteThat oval ruby without the cuff would do fine for me. I heard somewhere that the older, pinker ones originated in Russia, but I haven't checked that story. On the other hand, I'm old and pink, but not Russian. Hmmm.
ReplyDeleteDid you touch them, Eric? I suppose not. But you were in their presence. That proximity to the things of history is so beguiling. The stuff of enchantment. The Wikipedia article was fascinating, too.
ReplyDeleteuselaine -- okay, since we're getting "dibs" on these gems, I'll take the one to the right of the honkin' big emerald. I'm guessing it's actually a square-cut yellow diamond. Wonder who it belonged to il'y avait une fois.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Eric. This was a neat post. Fascinating - you are always teaching us something new!
ReplyDeleteAlexa, that was my second choice! No way!! It might be a yellow topaz, but whatever!
ReplyDeleteWow! Eric, you must know the right people!
ReplyDeleteHmmmm...I'll take the opal, I think. I love opals, they're my favorite!
At one moment in time: Versailles. A dazzling piece of jewelry is taken out of storage to adorn a person of the highest royalty. A glance in the mirror in the royal boudoir. "Yes, the piece is positioned well to display its beauty to my surrounding admirers."
ReplyDeleteAnother point in time and the same jewels are temporarily removed from storage and displayed by he whom could easily pass as Blogger royalty to his many admirers.
One can't help thinking that the rare jewels were meant to adorn people: Such beauties of personality as all those whom can be found here. Wear them in good imagination!
uselaine pulls out the pearl stickpin and affixes it to t gary's lapel
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather was a jeweler so I have always been fond of les bijoux! These are all quite spectacular Eric! I was in the Galerie of Apollo in the Louvre not long after it was reopened and the treasures from the French Monarchy there are stunning. I especially liked the parure of Sapphires and Diamonds that belonged to the Empress Eugénie.
ReplyDeleteHow lucky to be invited to all these special "insider " events M. Eric!! I especially liked all the china and crystal from yesterday. Did you purchase any??
tonton_flaneur: "I especially liked the parure of Sapphires and Diamonds that belonged to the Empress Eugénie."
ReplyDeleteOh, my, that's enticing. I tried in vain to Google a photo of it. Any help out there? Tall Gary? You're usually good at that sort of thing. I wasn't sure what to look for. "I especially liked the parure Sapphires Diamonds Empress Eugénie" got me all sorts of things, and I'm not sure any of them were it.
Just want to thank Esther one more time for translating that article. My French isn't good enough to read it, but it was a generous and gracious effort.
Eric, do you get invited to such "insider" events because your blog is so popular? Or is there another reason? I'm hoping it's because of the blog. Maybe someday, if I play my cards right, I'll be invited to see the crown jewels of Pasadena. Hey! Our mayor called Pasadena "the Paris of the Pacific" in Pasadena Weekly. (It's true!)
oooo....pretty gems!
ReplyDeletePetrea! I grabbed the French translation one paragraph at a time and popped it into "Google Translate" and got splendid results!
ReplyDeleteSuper handy tool!
That is quite the jewelry box-much fun to enlarge too! & you are so right Eric the website is incredible.
ReplyDeleteMerci!
I don't consider myself at all materialistic, but there's something about Ancien Régime bling that wiggles my swizzle stick. I think it must be the history because I certainly wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a real gemstone and an expertly-made fake. On the other hand, I've been told that I have expensive tastes, so perhaps I'd fluke it and pick the genuine article in spite of my ignorance! The only jewels I own are, strictly speaking, not mine: they belong to the..um, family (if you know what I mean), and are unlikely to be seen gracing a museum cabinet any time soon.
ReplyDeleteOMG, OMG, Marie-Antoinette's pearls? Stop the madness ;)
ReplyDeleteSeriously, they look a little understated for her - perhaps they were hers as a child...
LOL Coltrane about the blue sapphire as a belly-button stone. It could also pass for a blueberry flavored Jolly Rancher, but I digress...
Remember that giant blue sapphire (or was it diamond?) from the movie Titanic that was supposedly worn by Louis XIV?
I remember reading something when I went to Versailles that Louis XV said about all the excess, "Apres moi, le deluge."
Elaine! Thank you. That, um, wiggles my swizzle stick.
ReplyDeleteAlexa, my specialty: European art from 1910 to 1960.
ReplyDeleteBon week-end to all! I'm going to Switzerland for the weekend (does it sound posh?!). See you on Monday!
Eric, I know too much about jewels being a blonde. Anyway, I was out to dinner the night before last with an architect who designed the new DeBeers building (they won an award for that) here in San Francisco. Diamonds are a girls best friends.
ReplyDeleteThank you. That, um, wiggles my swizzle stick.
ReplyDeleteReminds me, I need to make an appointment for my annual exam. And why did pont girl's post plant a Jackson Browne song in my head... Well, anyway, pleased to be of service.
Safe trip Guille...with all the swizzling going on here, you'll be swizzling your swizzle stick in Switzerland. Too many zzzzzzzzz's in that which reminds me I need to go to bed.
ReplyDeletePetrea, I think Tonton Flaneur refers to the galery des " Joyaux de la couronne" at the Louvre.
ReplyDeleteTheir website doesn't show all the jewels yet but still you can admire their "écrin" (showcase ?) :
http://cartelfr.louvre.fr/cartelfr/visite?srv=sal_frame&idSalle=252
and one example of the jewels :
http://cartelfr.louvre.fr/cartelfr/visite?srv=car_not_frame&idNotice=11361
Eric is right, the French Mineralogy Museum and all the museums at the Jardin des Plantes are just great.
They made tremendous efforts to renovate and make the exhibitions much more attractive to all visitors, from kids to grown-ups.
How fun to see these historic jewels! And the website is fantastic! It looks like an incredible museum.
ReplyDeleteOn another note, perhaps the guy who is showing the jewels could use a manicure, meditation exercises, and a stiff drink to help take the edge off... :-)
You found my lost jewelry box!!! Wooohooooo! I thought I misplaced it when moving to Japanland :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
True gems (I love this title)... well... Eric, YOU are a true gem! I just had to say it....... Am I the first to say it today??? :)) Please never stop enchanting us! Un trésor ;)
ReplyDeletepetrea -- I'm known among impatient and art-challenged friends and relatives for my 20-minute tour of the Louvre. It includes the Winged Victory, Napoleon Crowning Josephine, The Mona Lisa (and facing it, Veronese's Wedding Feast at Cana, which most people miss altogether), the Venus de Milo, and . . . the crown jewels of the kings of France (and even though I love the bling, my fave is still the crown of Louis IX, which stands out in its simplicity).
ReplyDeleteguille -- have fun swizzling in Switzerland1
WOW what a box. It's hard to imagine that these historical persons really wore these stones. It's amazing....
ReplyDeleteOh my, my.....! This is my sort of post! I ADORE jewellery and i see there an opal, topaz, aquamarine, diamonds, citrine, perhaps a yellow diamond....oooooooh i absolutely love stones, especially diamonds, which are my birthstone, naturally... :)
ReplyDeleteI'll have to come back as i've no time right now - parents are arriving today - eek! The house must shine like these gems. I still have a lot to do and little time to do it in; i shall show my mother this later too, as she adores them too. Oooh Eric, please post more jewellery when you can, for Lynn?...! Marie-Antoinette....sigh.... I'm so coming back later!........
Ooh! On my way to the website! Thanks, Eric!
ReplyDeleteFor you Petrea, because you asked:
ReplyDeleteCrown Jewels of France in the Louvre. Plus the 20 carat Hortensia. (Clicking on each word should produce a separate image).
You may have any of those that you wish but I am completely satisfied with my pearl stick pin because of the immense sentimental value it holds. It just whizzles the swivel of my syzygy just as far as the solar system soars.
Carrie, I did check out your brother's site. Amazing. Impressive. Oh heck, it brings a smile to my face like giggles of rising nitrous oxidizing.
ReplyDeletewell thats such a good blog ERIC . i copied the webside in my private blog
ReplyDeletereally good looking i love minerals..
Oh la la, Eric, you certainly know how to spoil a girl. This photo is great! Squeals of Delight.
ReplyDeleteLa vidéo des joyaux issus de la couronne de France, déposés au Muséum, est visible en HD sur Viméo :
ReplyDeletehttp://www.vimeo.com/1202523
Oh and Eric - it's a paradox to say a sapphire could be obscene! Not in Lynn's book. It's just gorgeous... I can see it, set high in yellow gold and looking devastatingly fantastic on MY FINGER.
ReplyDeleteI'm popping back and forth when i can to click on the other delectable links. Parents not arrived yet. Tried a different route, got lost and won't ask directions. My Dad that is. Men! Ring a bell, girls? .... oh yes... they'd rather drive around the country than ask another man. Women are much more sensible and prefer to .... stare at jewels all day. lol.
Oh, I would love to pop these into one of my jewelry designs.
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting view into history....and that table the box is sitting on is gorgeous too...a gem of it's own, I'd say.
ReplyDeleteI remember a man here at PDP said they liked Berthe Morisot. Well, tonight Katie and I are going to a private reception for her and Mary Cassatt, Eva gonzales and Marie Bracquemond (Women Impressionists show at the Legion of Honor). Yes, I will be in after 5 robe. In am going to post this on PDP because inquiing minds want to know. hahahahaha
ReplyDeleteGuille going to Switzerland for the weekend with a boyfriend?
We can't let Eric be the only one out and about doing fabulous things! (Katie said that.)
Hello Katie, See you at Cafe Bastille at 5:00 pm.
bisous, caio
That was suppose to be:
ReplyDelete"Gonzales"
"ciao"
Sorry, I'm going to fast -- I have tons of things to do.
Lucky you getting to see the crown jewels! When I am in Paris next, I will be stopping by this museum. It looks like there are many great things to see...even if I am not so priviledged to see these. :)
ReplyDeleteNow you have to show Rue du Temple where I buy my jewelry! LOL. It is the wholesale costume jewelry district in the Marais.
ReplyDeleteDavid, I didn't hear any buzzing at the website. I heard music. Maybe something is wrong with your computer.
ReplyDeleteEric, Thanks for the museum trailer link. That was really interesting.
ReplyDeleteHi PHX - my eyes literally popped out of my head when I read your post. Do tell more about this wholesale costume jewelry place!! Can anyone buy there or do you have to have a wholesaler card? L'address, s'il vous plait!
ReplyDeleteLois, one person music is another's buzzing.
ReplyDeleteUSElaine -- thanks for the Google Translate tool. I was struggling with the French.
ReplyDeleteTall Gary -- hot links - merci. Glad you enjoyed my bro's site. I went on and saw they seem to be changing some of the photos. Sorry its not all up to snuff. And, as usual you're making me lol.
PHX CDG -- I'm with Pont Girl -- you have to give us the scoop on the Rue du Temple shops.
Well, if I had to choose a gemstone, since it is my birthday today (ahem! I'm 39 and holding for you Jack Benny folks out there) I'd have to go with the alexandrite or moonstone. What no alexandrite? or moonstone? Are you sure? Okay, though they're really not gemstones, the pearls will have to do. Sorry Antoinette! :-)
ReplyDeleteBonne Anniversaire, Coltrane!!
ReplyDeletePont Girl...was I fishing for a Bonne Anniversaire...you bet? :-) MeRcI for the wishes! Maybe my family will take me out to a messy BBQ joint. Fingers crossed. :-)
ReplyDeleteBonne Annivèrsaire, Coltrane!
ReplyDeleteMarylène, Tall Gary: thanks for the terrific links. Drool.
Alexa, pauvre, a 20-minute tour of the Louvre? I still feel deprived that I was limited to 3 hours, and determined that on my next trip I'll have as much time as I want, even if I have to go alone. (Which sounds nice to me--a chance to let myself dream a little.)
Petrea, bless you for the wishes. In all honesty, this BDay crept up on me without my knowing it till I awoke this morning and my 3 1/2 yr old daughter came in dancing with a basket of blueberry muffins she had made and singing the BDay song!
ReplyDeleteYeah, that's love! ;-)
BTW...I covered the Louvre (okay only the Denon wing)and saw Mona and the noseless bust of Plato (oh yeah, Bruce Willis too) in under an hour. Would have liked more time but the day was too nice to be indoors. Another day and another reason to return to Paris.
Lovely gems and very nice links. Crown and jewels, two of my favorite words.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Coltrane. You look marvelous for 39th ;)
Not that that is old!!! I'd kill to be 39 again.
ReplyDeleteDavid "However, the web site has this constant buzzing noise that is pure torture after about three minutes." I agree, I don't like sites that force you to listen to music. It reminds me of elevators...
ReplyDeletePetrea "Did you touch them, Eric? I suppose not." You suppose well. Only the man with the poor manicure(!) could actually touch them!
M.K. "Fascinating - you are always teaching us something new!" Actually I taught myself too!
Tonton "I especially liked all the china and crystal from yesterday. Did you purchase any??". Nope. I actually did not go back there for the actual auctions assuming there would be far too many people. Besides, call me snob, but there were only few pieces that I would actually have liked to put in my living room ;)
Petrea "Eric, do you get invited to such "insider" events because your blog is so popular?" Yes, it's because of the blog. Actually an agency (I-marginal)organized it. Check their site, I just found out they posted a video of these jewels with a comment (in French, sorry) by François Farges, the man in charge of this treasure... Quite unique.
Coltrane, bon anniversaire ;)
Happy Birthday Coltrane. I bet you get your wish for a messy BBQ dinner. Your little girl sounds so sweet and cute. And you got breakfast in bed. They aim to please. You are a very lucky man to be surrounded by so much love.
ReplyDeleteDavid, O!
You'll find no Baudelairian (sp?) "fleurs du mal" in my home today (except for his book in the study). We're HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY and even more so once the rib basket comes our way. I'm thinking it's a definite Louis Armstrong "What a Wonderful World" kind of day with you all. "Les fleurs d'amour a vous tous!" Again, merci Eric, Cali, and Lois.
ReplyDeleteThank you for all you time & effort Eric. You show us Paris in ways that no one can experience on vaction. I can't wait to come back agian ....I discovered your site not to long ago. I visited Paris last May. I was back to see where I was born after 40yrs. I fell in love with a city I left when I was only six months old. Merci !
ReplyDeletepetrea -- not to worry, I only do this silly tour for those who absolutely demand it. Last time I was there (with the ex), we got there at 9:30 am, took a short lunch break, went back, took a dinner break, went back, and were the last ones out at 9:45 pm!
ReplyDeleteAnd when I lived in Paris in the Sixties, the Louvre was free every Sunday -- believe me, I made the most of that lovely freebie.
coltrane -- happy happy! And it sounds like it definitely was. I've been 39 for a couple of decades now. It's a good age and I'm sticking with it. Feel free to do the same.
Alexa...I will do just that! ;-)
ReplyDeleteAlexa - now I understand- the "tour for the tourists" who have to tell the folks at home they saw the Mona Lisa.
ReplyDeleteFree Sundays at the Louvre. Sounds lovely!