Franklin Dean
Josephine de Beauharnais and Napoleon Bonaparte's relationship was riddled with affairs, family disapproval, and financial woes. Despite the drama, the couple wed in a civil ceremony in March 1796, and Josephine received an engagement ring from Napoleon. This ring was later passed down to her daughter, Hortense, who was briefly Queen of Holland through her marriage to Napoleon's brother, Louis Bonaparte. The ring remained in the Bonaparte family for two centuries before being sold at auction in 2013 for nearly $950,000. But what was engraved on Josephine's wedding ring?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of ring | Engagement ring |
| Year | 1796 |
| Gemstones | Diamond and sapphire |
| Gemstone shape | Pear-shaped |
| Gemstone weight | Just under a carat each |
| Ring material | Gold |
| Ring setting | 18th century "toi et moi" (French for "you and me") |
| Engravings | None |
| Owner | Josephine de Beauharnais |
| Owner's marital status | Married to Napoleon Bonaparte |
| Auction house | Osenat |
| Auction year | 2013 |
| Auction estimate | $20,000 |
| Auction sale price | $949,000 |
| Auction sale price with commission | $1.17 million |
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What You'll Learn
The ring was a diamond and sapphire 'toi et moi' design
The ring given by Napoleon Bonaparte to his beloved, Josephine, in 1796, was a diamond and sapphire toi et moi design. The ring featured two pear-shaped stones, a diamond and a sapphire, set side by side. The ring was sold by the Osenat auction house in France for $949,000, before the buyer's commission. The auction house had initially estimated the value of the gold ring set with two gems, each weighing just under a carat, to be around $20,000.
The toi et moi ring design is said to symbolise timeless love and has been popularised by celebrity engagements. The style typically features two stones, which can be independent of one another yet together in the design, representing a couple's union. The ring given to Josephine is believed to have been chosen with sapphires as her birthstone and diamonds representing the royal colours of France.
The toi et moi ring has since been worn by celebrities such as Megan Fox, Ariana Grande, Emily Ratajkowski, and Kylie Jenner, who have received the rings as gifts from their partners. The ring's design has also been favoured by former First Lady Jackie Kennedy, who received a toi et moi ring from John Kennedy, and Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, who received a ring from her French diplomat lover, Henri de Laborde de Monpezat.
The toi et moi ring style has gained popularity as an alternative to traditional engagement rings, with many designers creating their own interpretations. The rings can feature various stone shapes, including oval, princess, pear, asscher, emerald, cushion, marquise, heart, and radiant cuts. The rings can also be customised with different gemstones, diamonds, and metal colours to create a unique piece.
Napoleon and Josephine's relationship was marked by affairs, family disapproval, and financial tensions, ultimately leading to their divorce in January 1810. Despite the challenges, the couple maintained a respectful relationship, with Napoleon stating that Josephine would always be an empress to him.
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It was given to Josephine in 1796
Josephine de Beauharnais and Napoleon Bonaparte's love story is one for the ages. Josephine, a widow with two children, and Napoleon, a petty noble army officer, fell passionately in love despite familial objections. They married in a civil ceremony on 9 March 1796, and Napoleon gave Josephine an engagement ring to seal their union. This ring, a diamond and sapphire "toi et moi" ring, featured two pear-shaped stones side by side, symbolising the meeting of their two lovers. The ring was later passed down to Josephine's daughter, Hortense, who briefly became Queen of Holland through her marriage to Napoleon's brother, Louis Bonaparte.
The ring remained in the Bonaparte family for two centuries, with Hortense's son, Napoleon III of France, inheriting it. It then passed to Victor, Prince Napoleon, the grandson of Napoleon's brother, Jerome Bonaparte. In 2013, the ring was auctioned off by the French auction house Osenat, fetching a staggering $949,000, almost 50 times the estimated value set by the auction house. The winning bidder, allegedly a Russian who wished to remain anonymous, paid a total of $1.17 million, including the auction house's commission.
While the engagement ring is undoubtedly famous, Josephine also received a wedding ring when she married Napoleon. This ring was not as elaborate as the engagement ring and was made of gold and enamel, worked into the initials "NB" (for Napoleon Bonaparte) and inscribed with the words "sincere love". This ring was not as well-documented as the engagement ring and later came into the possession of Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III. Eventually, it found its way to the Louvre museum, where it is currently housed in the collection at Malmaison.
The story of Josephine and Napoleon's wedding rings is a testament to their love and the impact they had on jewellery trends of the time. The engagement ring, with its unique design and symbolism, became influential for nineteenth-century jewellery lovers, and Josephine's popularity as an empress and fashion icon further cemented its place in history. The simpler wedding ring, with its heartfelt inscription, also serves as a reminder of the couple's early days and their commitment to each other.
Although Napoleon and Josephine's marriage ended in divorce in 1810, their love story continues to capture the imagination of people worldwide. Their jewellery, specifically Josephine's rings, provide a tangible connection to the past and offer insight into the couple's lives, passions, and the challenges they faced. The auction of these rings in recent years has only further emphasised their historical significance and the enduring fascination with Napoleon and Josephine's tumultuous romance.
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The ring was sold in 2013 for $949,000
The engagement ring that Napoleon Bonaparte gave to his fiancée Josephine was sold at auction in 2013 for $949,000. The ring, a simple band of gold in an 18th-century "toi et moi" ("you and me") setting, featured two pear-shaped gems facing in opposite directions: a blue sapphire and a diamond, each weighing just under a carat. The auction house, Osenat, had estimated the ring's value at $20,000, but the final anonymous buyer paid almost 50 times that amount, with the total price including buyer's commission reaching $1.17 million.
The auction was held on the 250th anniversary of Josephine's birth and attracted worldwide interest. Osenat's expert Jean-Christophe Chataignier commented that the ring illustrated "Napoleon's passion for his future queen". At the time of their engagement, Napoleon was a young and promising officer, but he was not wealthy. Chataignier suggested that the ring would have been a significant expense for him, and its purchase demonstrates the depth of his feelings for Josephine.
The ring's high sale price can be attributed to its historical significance and the romantic story attached to it. The fact that it was given by Napoleon to his beloved, who would later become the empress of France, adds immense value beyond the ring's material worth. This was recognised by the auctioneer, Emily Villane, who stated that their estimates were based on the market value of the ring, excluding the historical connection to Napoleon and Josephine.
The ring's journey after Josephine is also of interest. It was passed down as a family heirloom and later came into the possession of Emperor Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie. Empress Eugénie gave the ring to her personal physician, Dr A. Hugenschmidt, who donated it to the Louvre in 1930. From there, it found its way into the collection at Malmaison.
The sale of Josephine's engagement ring at auction in 2013 highlights the enduring fascination with Napoleon and Josephine's love story, as well as the power of historical provenance to elevate the value of an object far beyond its original worth.
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It was passed down to Hortense, Josephine's daughter
Josephine de Beauharnais, later known as Empress Josephine, was married to Napoleon Bonaparte, the Emperor of France, in a civil ceremony in March 1796. She was given a diamond and sapphire engagement ring by Napoleon, which featured two pear-shaped stones—a sapphire and a diamond—placed side by side to represent the meeting of two lovers. This style of ring came to be known as the 'toi et moi' ('you and me') engagement ring. Josephine and Napoleon's relationship was tumultuous, marked by affairs, family disapproval, and Josephine's extravagant spending. Despite their divorce in 1810, Josephine treasured the ring, and it remained in her possession.
Josephine passed down her iconic engagement ring to her daughter, Hortense. Hortense was the queen of Holland through her marriage to Napoleon's brother, Louis Bonaparte. The ring remained within the Bonaparte family for two centuries. Hortense's son, Napoleon III of France, inherited the ring from his mother. As the Prince Imperial, Hortense's grandson, died without descendants, the ring was passed down to Victor, Prince Napoleon, the grandson of Napoleon's brother, Jerome Bonaparte.
In addition to the engagement ring, Hortense inherited several other valuable items from her mother, including jewels, classical antiquities, furniture, books, musical instruments, paintings, drawings, and real estate. The total value of Josephine's possessions that were divided between Hortense and her sibling, Eugene, amounted to over eight million francs, even after deducting debts of nearly three million francs.
The engagement ring remained in the Bonaparte family until 2013 when it was sold by the French auction house Osenat for nearly $950,000, despite its historical significance. The auctioneer, Emily Villane, stated that the estimate was based solely on the ring's materials and design, excluding its connection to the Bonapartes. The winning bid was allegedly placed by an anonymous Russian buyer.
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The wedding ring may have been inscribed with 'au destin'
Josephine de Beauharnais, also known as M. J. R. Tascher, married Napoleon Bonaparte in a civil ceremony on 9 March 1796. While it is not certain what was engraved on Josephine's wedding ring, it may have been inscribed with the motto 'au destin', which translates to 'to destiny' in English. This motto reflects the idea of destiny or fate, suggesting that their union was meant to be and foretelling a future together that was predetermined.
The wedding ring itself has a fascinating history. While it is not the same ring as the gold and enamel piece with the initials 'NB' and the inscription 'sincere love' that Napoleon gave to Josephine in the same year, it is still a significant artifact from their marriage. Unlike the gold and enamel ring, which ended up in the possession of Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III, the wedding ring took a different path.
The gold and enamel ring with the 'NB' initials eventually made its way into the hands of Empress Eugénie, who gave it to her personal physician, Doctor A. Hugenschmidt. In 1930, Doctor Hugenschmidt donated the ring to the Louvre, where it became part of the collection at Malmaison.
The actual wedding ring's journey is more mysterious and less well-documented. While it may have been inscribed with the motto 'au destin', its final resting place is unknown, and it remains a subject of speculation and historical curiosity.
Josephine and Napoleon's marriage took place eight years before Napoleon's coronation as emperor. Their relationship faced challenges due to affairs, family disapproval, and Josephine's inability to produce an heir. Despite these issues, Josephine became a popular empress and a fashion icon known for popularizing the empire-waist gown. Their engagement and wedding rings, particularly the diamond-and-sapphire engagement ring, have become famous and highly valued historical artifacts.
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Frequently asked questions
Josephine's wedding ring may have been inscribed with the motto "au destin", which means "to destiny". However, it is unclear whether this is true.
Josephine's wedding ring was made of gold.
Josephine owned a gold and enamel ring given to her by Napoleon in 1796, the year of their marriage. It was engraved with the initials "NB" and "sincere love". She also owned an engagement ring, which featured a diamond and a sapphire.
