Imperial Splendors: Jewelry Art Since the 18th Century

This exhibition was jointly launched by China’s Palace Museum and Chaumet, a time-honored French jewelry designer, with Henri Loyrette, former president and curator of the Louvre Museum as curator. On display are over 300 masterpieces alongside jewelry, paintings and a wide array of art from the 18th to 21st Century depicting stories of Napoleon, Queen Josephine and other monarchs in Europe. The exhibition was co-sponsored by 17 world-famous museums including the Louvre, Chateau de Fontainebleau and the Victoria and Albert Museum. It features many art treasures from France on their first trip to China. April 11 – July 17 Palace Museum, Beijing

Consular Sword, also known as Napoleon I’s Coronation Sword, 1804, acquired by the Louvre, France. A crown decorated with egret feathers, 1914, acquired by Chaumet.

A Gothic belt of French Queen Mary Louise, 1813, acquired by Chaumet.

A gilded-silver hairpin inlaid with kingfisher feathers and pearls, Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), acquired by the Palace Museum.