The Empress Josephine's cameo tiaras
The Empress Josephine (wife of Napoleon), owned some unique cameo tiaras that were made specially for her.
The cameos were ancient Roman engravings of Roman emperors dating back to 100 AD. The cameos were carved onto carnelian gemstones.
In 1808, these cameos were mounted onto gold and blue enamel diadems for Josephine.
France at the time of Napoleon was obsessed with ancient Rome. Napoleon believed he was recreating the ancient Roman empire. The Empress Josephine popularised "empire-line" dresses, which were simple and flowing and meant to immitate the flowing clothes of ancient Rome, in contrast to the ornate structured clothes of the 18th century ancien regime. Her jewelry also tried to look different to the styles of the past.
Here is a portrait of Josephine wearing one of her many cameo diadems, and a close-up of another of her cameo tiaras on the right.
