Provenance offers a chronological overview of an object or artwork’s path through history but can be exceedingly difficult to reconstruct due to the very nature of time. Whether through societal unrest, theft, or a mere lack of documentation, the past ownership of an item can be shrouded in uncertainty to modern researchers. That any item finds its way across continents, seas and centuries to our present is a marvel and a testament to the great value the item holds for those stewards who preserve it.
Those very complications make items of esteemed and well-documented provenance all the more fascinating. Passed from maker to patron, patron to descendants and hand to hand, objects from history are documents of the past. Explore items once treasured by the movers and shakers of the bygone eras, from celebrities to royalty.
Those very complications make items of esteemed and well-documented provenance all the more fascinating. Passed from maker to patron, patron to descendants and hand to hand, objects from history are documents of the past. Explore items once treasured by the movers and shakers of the bygone eras, from celebrities to royalty.
Importance of Provenance
Nearly 350 years ago, French sculptor Jean-Baptiste Tuby sat in his studio casting and sculpting. Tuby had become a leading figure in Baroque sculpture, completing royal commissions for the grottoes of Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye and the gardens and fountains of Palais de Versailles as favored court sculptor to Louis XIV. This day, circa 1670, the sculptor began a new commission — a pair of two bronze horses full of life and dynamism. Originally envisioned as part of a decorative fountain, the figures represented the mythical hippocampus, or seahorse, as evidenced by their hooves, mane and torso entangled with flowing seaweed.
This equine duo, however, demonstrates the difficulties that frequently arise when trying to uncover an object’s provenance. It is almost certain that Tuby created the equestrian figures under commission of King Louis XIV to be housed at his beautiful Château de Marly. Marly, like Versailles, had dozens of beautiful fountains, but the estate went into decline and was dismantled after the French Revolution. Regarded as a symbol of the deposed monarchy, the monumental sculptures and fountains at the king’s palaces were largely destroyed by the revolutionaries, and bronzes were melted down in order to produce artillery. The political and social upheaval of France in the 18th century have obscured the equine bronzes’ path through time, making it cumbersome to reconstruct which fountain for which these sculptures were initially intended.
The French sculptor, working in his 17th-century studio, would have had difficulty envisioning the number of hands his pair of equine bronze would pass through, or the vast seas they would cross, until the duo’s eventual arrival to M.S. Rau in New Orleans centuries later. Herein lies the fascinating allure of provenance.
Political Provenance
Personal ephemera owned by prominent statesmen can provide a unique angle on the great leaders of the past; rather than a carefully constructed public persona, the items often remind us that these figures are, at the end of the day, ordinary people with exceptional callings.
Building an Empire: Napoleon Bonaparte as Patron
Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte was and remains one of the most legendary military and political figures in history, having held, for a brief period, the fate of the Western world in his hands. His successes during the French Revolution led the leader to great prominence, and his persistent campaigns for control of France have given him a rightful place in the annals of history as one of the most polarizing and powerful political leaders of the modern age.
In addition to his military prowess and political ambitions, the emperor held a deep appreciation for the arts and was a frequent patron. He opened the Musée Napoleon in the Louvre where he displayed his most prized spoils of war — paintings and sculptures captured during his campaigns abroad. Napoleon also commissioned a multitude of portraits of himself, shrewdly creating works of propaganda to support his military aims and carefully curate his public persona.
These exceptional and rare Sèvres porcelain ice pails hail from Napoleon Bonaparte's last and greatest commission in 1814, when the revered French firm fashioned the imperial ruler a dining service that embodied Napoleonic opulence. Completely unique to this Sèvres service, the “Vues Diverses” (Diverse Views) ice pails set features European palaces including examples from Russia, Austria, England as well as France. To Napoleon, these scenes, rendered by the finest porcelain factory of his time, represented his ambition as well as France’s rightful place as the world’s most powerful country. Striking in beauty with historic provenance, this pair of ice pails — also called glacière à chimères — represents the very best of Sèvres output.
The pair reflects Napoleon’s Neoclassical tastes, each with two silver-gilt handles terminating in a female mask, along with rims featuring a band of quatrefoil flower heads above a band alternating anthemia and masks. Four painted tableaus depict four palaces with a personal connection to the Emperor: Palais de Saint-Cloud, Napoleon's permanent residence; Palais de Schonbrunn in Vienna, where Napoleon signed the Treaty of Vienna; Windsor Palace in England; and the Palais de Sarskocello. The scrollwork along the gilt sides centers a flower head medallion, while the lower bodies feature berried stiff leaf tips. The pails are raised on four-winged lion masks and paw feet, and an iron red imperial eagle mark is imprinted on the underside of the pails.
Despite being ordered by Napoleon, he never took possession of these coolers as he was deposed before their completion. Following Waterloo, King Louis XVIII finalized the purchase of the service upon its completion, taken by its aesthetic beauty and exquisite craftsmanship.
Military Leadership
Napoleon certainly liked to capture his own likeness, and the emperor’s patronage sometimes extended to those whose brave service under his command functioned as further evidence of his military zeal. Described by Napoleon as “le Brave des braves” (“the Bravest of the Brave”), Michel Ney was one such loyal soldier, selected by the emperor as one of the original Marshals of the Empire. He had an impressive military career, commanding troops in both the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. On March 16, 1805, French artist Charles Meynier received a commission from Napoleon for a portrait of Ney for the Tuileries Palace’s Hall of Marshals, which is now displayed at the Palace of Versailles. He painted the regal leader’s portrait, and later used this shoulder-length rendering to finish the larger version. The artist would have used a stand-in model to finish the Versailles version. Meynier renders Ney showing an engaged expression, with a bold and direct gaze. The fine gold detailing and red sash of his uniform allow his face to stand out against the backdrop of darkened clouds. Meynier’s finesse in capturing the soft light as it falls across the Marshal’s face imbues the painting with a lifelike vibrancy. The viewer can feel the presence of the man who so stoically proclaimed his patriotism until his final breath.
After Napoleon’s first exile from France, Ney pledged to serve King Louis XVIII. When Napoleon escaped Elba and returned to France, Ney was ordered by the king to arrest the former leader. When Napoleon famously sent Ney a letter saying that he would “welcome Ney as he did after Moscow,” the Marshal had a change of heart and joined the once and future Emperor. After their defeat at the Battle of Waterloo, Ney was tried for treason before the Chamber of Peers for disobeying Louis XVIII’s order— a crime punishable by death. Ney’s lawyer had an airtight defense against execution and argued that since Ney was born in Prussia, he could not be accused of treason and thus was exempted from French capital punishment. However, when the Marshal proclaimed "Je suis Français et je resterai Français!" — translated to "I am French and I will remain French!" — all hopes were dashed for acquittal. As the fearless Ney stood in front of the soldiers that were to be his executioners, he gave his famous last command: "Soldiers, when I give the command to fire, fire straight at my heart. I protest against my condemnation. I have fought a hundred battles for France, and not one against her ... Soldiers, fire!"
Ney’s portrait stands today as a lasting image of a man so devoted to France that he would lay down his life to do what he believed was best for the nation. Napoleon’s decision to capture Ney’s likeness, even if originally intended to be displayed in the grand Tuileries Palace as a sign of his military might, allows modern viewers to meet the Marshal in a new light.
National Treasures: The Personal Effects of American Presidents
George Washington
Not all objects treasured by the politicians that shaped history are intended to demonstrate power and prestige. Some items, like this hair comb once owned by Martha Washington, the wife of the Founding Father and first President of the United States George Washington, are simply cherished goods for personal care. The First Lady ordered two hair combs and other personal items from London-based merchant house Robert Cary and Co. in January of 1758. Infused with the personality and glamour that surrounded her, the hair comb evokes a private and treasured part of Mrs. Washington's boudoir, and is a reminder of the fascinating everyday routines of larger-than-life figures in our nations history.
Another essential in any household is flatware for dining, and this example was also owned by George and Martha Washington. This important Blue Canton China dinner plate was used by the presidential couple when entertaining guests at their famed Mount Vernon home. The Washingtons rarely dined out, however they were gracious entertainers and took great care and consideration in choosing only the best linens, cutlery and table services for their private estate.
The first American President and First Lady favored Blue Canton China and owned a number of different patterns of this style. In fact, many of the most fashionable tables in the early American Republic were set with Blue Canton, so-called because of the great Chinese trading port of its origin. This design was in demand well into the 19th century and has continued to be popular as a symbol of heritage for many American families.
Abraham Lincoln
These opera glasses were used by Abraham Lincoln on the ill-fated evening he was assassinated at Ford's Theater by John Wilkes Booth on April 14, 1865. The glasses are believed to have been in the President's hands or lap when the Washington City Guards carried the wounded leader to the Peterson House where he died. Guard member Captain James M. McCamly noticed something fell from Lincoln's body and hit the ground, and he instinctively picked it up and placed it in his pocket in order to attend to Lincoln. The object was these glasses. McCamly had intended to return the glasses, but that seemed trivial compared to the loss of the nation's President in the midst of Civil War, and the historical significance of the glasses was lost for a period of time.
The glasses were passed through the McCamly family for several generations, eventually being sold in 1968 to the Abraham Lincoln Book Shop in Chicago. That is when the investigation would begin into the glasses' history and provenance. Margaret Klapthor, then the Associate Curator of Political History at the Smithsonian, validated the age, materials and style of the opera glasses, proving they were the same used by gentlemen of Lincoln's period. The glasses were then compared to the original carrying case held by Ford's Theater Museum. These opera glasses fit the case perfectly, proving these were indeed Lincoln's opera glasses.
John F. Kennedy
Decades later, the 35th President of the United States would find his own simple pleasure in the items around him. It is a longstanding tradition at the White House for presidential guests to receive a pen commemorating their visit. This rare Parker Jotter gift pen was created by the Parker pen company for the Kennedy White House to be given out by President John F. Kennedy. Parker Jotter pens are some of the most famous items associated with the Kennedy White House, as the Jotter was the preferred pen of President Kennedy. The president used them for many of his daily duties, from signing important legislation to giving diplomatic gifts. Indeed, successive presidents up until Bill Clinton used Parker pens for these purposes, and Parker even retained a special representative, John Gibb, to handle White House orders.
While the Kennedy Presidential Library reproduced these pens to be sold in the gift shop, genuine gift pens are distinguished from the reproductions by the smaller Kennedy signature, which is almost the same size as the White House wording, as opposed to a larger signature on the JFK Library reproductions. Original pens also place Kennedy's signature below the White House wording, while reproductions place it above.
Royal and Aristocratic Provenance
When thinking of the opulence of the monarchy, images of the sumptuous interiors of Versailles or the brilliant Hope Diamond spring to mind. The royal families of Europe have been patrons of fine art, furniture and objet d’art since their inception, utilizing their distinction to commission the finest craftsmen and artists to adorn their palatial residences and vestments with the world’s greatest treasures.
Created for the Crown: Royal Patronage and Provenance
Royal Writing Desk
The mysterious King Carlo Alberto of Sardinia, the Duke of Savoy, whose political philosophies ranged from revolutionary to absolutist, was as complex as his intriguing desk. The king was responsible for leading his country to the First War of Independence from 1848-1849 and is known for guiding Italy through its first steps toward eventual unification.
During his reign over Sardinia, Alberto forged many political alliances, meaning there was never a shortage of secret correspondence and strategic plans to be stored. His writing table and matching armchair, created for the king in the mid-19th century, are rife with secret drawers and compartments. Both beautiful and functional, the desk and armchair feature complex woodwork with elaborate artistic details.
Cleverly concealed buttons and levers open secret drawers and panels, revealing storage spaces within the rails of the chair seat, center square of the desk, frieze, corners, carved lion’s heads and throughout the base. A writing slide pulls out from above the center drawer on one side of the desk, while the opposite side is fitted with hidden architectural interiors, each brimming with secret compartments. The inlaid and carved wood features foliate swags, scrollwork and lion’s masks while lion’s paws decorate the base.
Royal Ice Pail
Another triumph of royal craftsmanship, perhaps the greatest silver service ever created was the Grand Service made by royal silversmiths Rundell, Bridge & Rundell for King George IV of England. It took approximately ten years to complete and cost an amazing £100,000 — approximately $15 million in today's currency. This historically significant and magnificently crafted ice pail hails from that very same grand service, the great majority of which still resides in Windsor Castle and is used by the late Queen Elizabeth and now King Charles. This ice pail was one of two taken by the Duke of Cumberland when he became King of Hanover. The pail bears the coat of arms of the Duke, and retains its custom-made silver plateau, also by Rundell, Bridge & Rundell. The ice pails were the centerpiece of the grand service, a testament to their exquisite and intricate detailing. Its exceptional rarity, historical importance and extraordinary beauty make this ice pail one of our most memorable acquisitions.
Royal Jewels
Much like the covetable objet d’art that adorned their luxurious residences, the jewelry assembled by the French monarchy was legendary. Over 400 years of the finest examples of jewelry were collected and maintained for the royal family to wear and enjoy. After the disastrous Franco-Prussian War culminated in 1871, Emperor Napoleon III abdicated. Four years later, the democratically elected French Third Republic was born in 1875. The leaders of the newly formed republic feared right-wing and royalist adversaries might be staging a coup, so they decided to auction off almost all the Crown Jewels and other trappings of royal wealth as a symbol of the deposed monarchy’s waning power. The fledgling government reasoned that without a crown, there cannot be a king.
The sale of the French crown jewels was by far the most important auction of the entire nineteenth century, and it was also the single event that propelled Tiffany & Co. to become the most famous luxury emporium in the western hemisphere. Charles Tiffany traveled to Paris for the auction at the Louvre and purchased roughly a third of the collection. This example is crafted of fine calibré-cut Burma rubies, mine-cut diamonds and natural pearls, with each jeweled section of the necklace has a suspending pearl drop. He then shipped these famed gems to New York and had individually crafted leather boxes made for each and every object. The boxes all displayed the Royal French coat of arms as well as the words Diamants De La Couronne, or “Crown Jewels,” embossed in 24K gold. When the collection was finally unveiled, members of America’s high society stood in lines around the block to get a chance to own these treasures. Tiffany & Co.'s reputation of being the greatest purveyor of fine gems was complete through this sale, and the vast majority of the royal cache was purchased by museums and prestigious private collectors.
Italian Royalty
Apart from personal adornment through resplendent jewels and gems, noble families also could acquire the finest furniture to elevate their homes. Part of the famed Stoneleigh Abbey collection, this set of Grand Ducal pietre dure console tables was owned by the noble Leigh family for nearly 250 years. This renowned English country estate inspired Jane Austen to write Mansfield Park following her stay with her cousins, the Leigh family, in 1806. Originally built in the 12th century as a Cistercian monastery, it was converted to domestic home by Sir Thomas Leigh, the Lord Mayor of London following the revolutionary and impactful dissolution of the monasteries by King Henry VIII in the 1530s. It remained in the family for centuries, though it had many famed visitors from King Charles I to Queen Victoria. The tables were eventually sold by Lord Leigh at Christie’s London in 1962.
Prior to joining the collection of the Lord Leigh family, the tables already had storied beginnings. The pair hail from the revered Grand Ducal workshop, established by Grand Duke Ferdinando I de Medici in 1588. His mission in founding the workshop was to create the finest hardstone decorative objects the world had ever seen. His clients were the popes and royals of Europe, and the objects produced at the workshop were unparalleled in quality. Pietre dure is the art of cutting and laying marbles and semi-precious minerals into a decorative form. Typically, because of the high level of workmanship the art form requires, pietre dure plaques were crafted in small sizes; however, the large size of the Stoneleigh pair indicate its intended use by nobility and royalty. The museum-quality bases crafted by Andrea Brustolon, sometimes called the “Michelangelo of Wood,” display the artist’s talent for both figural and foliate work, combining cupids, masks and oversized scrolling vines for a grand effect. No detail was spared in creating the luxurious pair of tables.
Britain's Finest: The Prized Possessions of English Nobility
Even those not born into English noble wealth and its trappings could acquire the finest goods coveted by kings and queens — sometimes, even if they were from the other side of the Atlantic. American socialite Wallis Simpson, later the Duchess of Windsor, remains one of the most famous, or infamous, women of the 20th century. Edward was crowned King of England in January 1936 before scandalously abdicating his throne after less than a year to marry Simpson, an American divorcée and socialite. A love story for the ages, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor lived happily as a fashionable couple of European high society until the Duke’s death in 1972.
This brooch and snuff box once belonged to the Duchess, who is often remembered as owning one of the finest and most luxurious jewelry collections of the modern age. The brooch, originally created by a native artisan in the area of Bukhara, Uzbekistan, features delicately crafted goldwork, natural pearls, emeralds and pink tourmalines all highlight the precious natural materials of that region. The gold is crafted in an intricate openwork design in the Indian style set with faceted emeralds and tourmalines, while pearls and beaded gemstones hang like tassels from the central structure. Always wanting to be on the cutting edge of fashion trends, the Duchess often had pieces in her collection altered and redesigned to suit her modern tastes.
Provenance of Socialites and Business Magnates
In the late-19th and early 20th centuries, business was booming. Industrialization allowed production and profits to increase exponentially, and visionary investors and magnates took advantage of the opportunity to amass large fortunes no longer reserved for royalty and nobility.
Astor Family
As a descendant of German-American fur-trader John Jacob Astor (1763–1848), an enterprising businessman of the colonial period, John Jacob Astor IV was an heir to one of the richest families in America. Founder of the luxury Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York, Astor’s many undertakings in real estate, writing and invention also provided income that positioned him as one of the richest men in the United States. Many members of the Astor family were passionate sailors who were devoted to the success of the New York Yacht Club, and the socialite and millionaire John Jacob Astor was no exception.
The importance of both the Astor competition and its trophy is indisputable. Held in Newport, RI and originally sanctioned by the New York Yacht Club, the Astor Cup is one of the most important annual yacht races in the world and was only second to the America’s Cup in importance. The trophies for the first of these races at the end of the 19th century were donated by John Jacob Astor.
Beyond their commission by one of the era’s richest men, the 1893 Astor Cup was won by the triumphant Vigilant, a talented competitor who went on to later win the America’s cup. The owners of the victorious yacht were E.D. Morgan, a relative of J. P. Morgan, August Belmont, whose wife Alva was one of the leading ladies of New York and helped create the “social 400” with John Jacobs Astor’s wife Caroline, and Cornelius Vanderbilt, then the wealthiest man in the world. The one-of-a-kind trophy was presented to the winners by John Jacob Astor himself.
Dupont Family
The rarest and most valuable of all sapphires is the padparadscha — the dazzling gemstone that is renowned for its unique orangy-pink hue. First mined in Ceylon, the name padparadscha is derived from the Sinhalese word for “lotus blossom,” which shares the same sunset hue. The extraordinary gems have been cherished for hundreds of years, and was once reserved for maharajas, kings and queens alike.
This Padparadscha sapphire has glorious provenance that includes one of the most influential American families in United States history. In 1937, Pierre and Alice DuPont, the patriarch of the famed chemical and industrial family, went on a trip to Asia and visited Ceylon. During their visit, they asked their guides to show them the most important gems in the country. After seeing all of the finest stones available, they bought this exceptional Padparadscha sapphire. Completely free of heat treatment and approaching 25.00 carats in size, the stone is simply unparalleled in quality, and in many ways, the DuPont family was able to purchase perfection.
Onassis Family
This splendid necklace was once owned by the businesswoman, socialite and heiress, Christina Onassis. It was a gift from her father, Aristotle Onassis, husband to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and one of the world’s richest men at the time of its purchase. One of the most respected names in luxury jewelry, Harry Winston, known today as the "King of Diamonds," first opened shop in 1932 and created spectacular designs for celebrities and discerning clients worldwide.
Born into a world of wealth and style, Christina was known for her extravagant collection of haute couture jewels, and this necklace stood as one of its highlights. When Harry Winston squired this stunning 38.00-carat Golconda diamond, he enlisted the help of designer Jacques Time to help him properly display this monumental stone. Together, they created this present necklace, later gifted to Onassis, that features a stunning array of only the highest quality stones. The pear-cut Golconda diamond pendant is certified by the Gemological Institute of America as being both D color and Type IIa, meaning it lacks any trace of nitrogen. Nitrogen is the element that gives diamonds color, making this gem entirely colorless and a full two shades whiter than the whitest D-color diamond. This gem is among the brightest and whitest of all known diamonds. It also displays VVS1 clarity, meaning its remarkable color is virtually unmarred by any imperfection.
Celebrity Provenance
The prized possessions of celebrities who achieve great fame and fortune often dazzle those of us who only experience Hollywood's allure from the screen. The glitz and glamour of actors is accentuated by the lavish attire and jewelry that mark their elegance. Likewise, musical stars impress us with their powerful performances and stage style. For those who admire the stars, celebrity provenance can offer a rare glimpse into the everyday charm of beloved personalities.
Favorite Things: The Possessions of Music and Movie Stars
Vivian Leigh
Exuding the cinematic glamour and drama for which the beloved actress is remembered, these earrings were worn by Vivien Leigh in her role as Cleopatra in the 1945 British film Caesar and Cleopatra. Known for her iconic roles on stage and screen, Leigh was a major box office draw and two-time Academy Award winner for her prodigious performances as Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind and Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire.
The intricate goldwork reflects the film’s billing as one of the most lavish films of all time. The movie cost more than one million pounds to produce, an incredible amount considering the austerity of the time in England — Caesar and Cleopatra began filming mere days after D-Day. No expense was spared, and these earrings represent the opulence of the production, Vivien Leigh’s star power and the lasting cultural impact of Cleopatra herself.
Joan Fontaine
Another star of the golden age of the silver screen, Joan Fontaine became the youngest leading actress to win an Oscar for her work in Alfred Hitchcock's Suspicion (1941). Her life was not without turmoil, however, as her rivalry with her sister — the fellow actress Olivia de Havilland — was legendary. Even as children, the sisters had a contentious relationship that intensified when Fontaine won the Oscar for Suspicion, the same year that de Havilland was nominated for her role as Melanie in Gone With The Wind. Fontaine's alleged rebuffing of her sister's accomplishments opened a wound that was never healed, even at the time of Fontaine's death at 96 years old in 2013.
Despite these challenges, Joan still indulged in the fine luxuries that fame and stardom brought her. She once owned this captivating French compact, crafted of sterling and gilded silver and decorated with a bold floral motif that sparkles with diamonds and ruby cabochons. As practical as it is beautiful, this ingenious case is the perfect companion to take on a night on the town or to the studio for touch-ups between scenes. The cover opens to reveal a mirror and well for pressed powder, a refillable lipstick tube, small tortoiseshell comb and lighter, all neatly tucked into the sides. A small watch flips out on top to allow the actress to easily keep track of the time. Featuring her engraved initials “JF” and held within its own fitted suede and silk-line pouch, this gorgeous piece is a work of true luxury.
Prince
Made especially for one of the most celebrated pop icons of the modern era, this 10K yellow gold necklace was once owned by Prince. The necklace is comprised of openwork medallions that feature Prince's iconic "Love Symbol," the unpronounceable glyph that the musician famously took as his stage name from 1993 until 2000 as way to frustrate his record label. The symbol is a marriage of the ancient symbols for man and woman, representing both fluid sexuality and harmony. The motif became so iconic that Prince used it in his jewelry, his album artwork and even as the form for his guitar.
Commissioned by Prince to wear onstage during his Jam of the Year tour of 1997, his first tour after changing his stage name, the necklace displays yet another iteration of his identifying symbol repeated fourteen times across its length. Thousands of fans from the United States and Canada attended the tour, which lasted from January 1997 to January 1998, to see the artist perform his 19th studio album Emancipation. It is considered to be one of Prince’s most successful tours, and this unique and important necklace exemplifies the unique creativity and style of this incomparable pop icon.
Conclusion
Treasured items from the collections of history’s greats provide a unique opportunity to see into the lives of those from the past. To explore more items with intriguing provenance, browse our selection of fine art, antiques and jewelry.
