Marie Antoinette’s head, before she notoriously lost it, was adorned with some pretty serious jewels—and so too were her wrists. One of the bracelets worn by the last queen of France is on view at Bergdorf Goodman in New York through Oct. 28.
This cameo bracelet was made for Marie Antoinette in 1780 by Mellerio, the oldest family-owned jeweler in Europe. It is part of the French jeweler’s residency at Bergdorf Goodman, with other archival pieces on display and contemporary creations for sale at the luxury retailer.
The bracelet boasts seven agate cameos of different Roman emperors. Each cameo is encircled by garnets and set in silver, with flowers and leaves made of garnet and silver as links.
Founded in 1613, Mellerio has a rich history of serving European royalty. Jean-Baptiste Mellerio, who opened a boutique in Paris during Marie Antoinette’s reign, crafted the cameo bracelet for the queen, known for her lavish taste in fashion and jewels.
The piece remains a captivating reflection of the the luxury and splendor that defined Marie Antoinette’s controversial reign, which ended with the French Revolution. Its display at Bergdorf Goodman not only offers a glimpse of the grandeur and opulence of 18th-century France but also showcases Mellerio’s artistry.
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