A silver and paste demi parure comprising a tiara and a pair of earrings, 19th century

Various forms of head ornaments have been used for centuries. During the neoclassicism of the 19th century, the art form of tiaras flourished and reached its peak during the First French Empire. Emperor Napoleon's wife, Empress Joséphine, wore striking tiaras that became an expression of this high culture within the art of tiaras. By drawing on antiquity as a model, they took on magnificent expressions and were often part of larger sets together with, for example, earrings, bracelets, and brooches in sets known as parure. The plant kingdom has been a source of inspiration for many tiaras, with precious metals shaped into myrtle, orange blossoms, laurel, murrine, and grapevines. These could be richly set with diamonds, emeralds, various cameos, and pearls. In this spring's major jewellery auction, Bukowskis is proud to present three tiaras.