Exhibition labels & didactics - National Gallery of Victoria

38
FRANCE
Reliquary box bearing a cameo portrait
of Marie-Antoinette and containing a lock
of Louis XVI’s hair
Boîte reliquaire ornée d’un camée portrait
de Marie-Antoinette contenant une
mèche de cheveux de Louis XVI
late 18th century – Restoration period 1814–30
gold, agate, enamel, malachite, mother-of-pearl, hair
Fondation Napoléon, Paris
Donation Lapeyre inv. 1064
The return of the Bourbon monarchy in
1814 saw a veritable cult develop around
Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette. This precious
box, which dates from the end of the
ancien régime, was reworked during the
Restoration in memory of the royal couple
with the addition of the cameo on its cover,
a profile portrait of Marie-Antoinette.
Inscribed ‘Given in the Temple Tower one
hour before his death’, the box contains a
small piece of paper folded around a lock
of Louis XVI’s hair.
© COPYRIGHT
This document remains the property of the National Gallery of Victoria and must be returned upon request. Reproduction in part or in whole is prohibited without written authorisation.