Origin of Name
The Marie Mancini Pearls refer to a pair of
apparently identical drop-shaped white nacreous pearls, weighing
approximately 200 grains each, with an ancient historical provenance,
that once belonged to Marie Mancini, the niece of Cardinal Mazarin, the
chief minister of France from 1642 until his death in 1661. The young
Louis XIV, who was captivated by the beauty of Marie Mancini fell in
love with her, and she reciprocated his advances. A close romantic
relationship developed between the two, and King Louis XIV, was
determined to marry her. However, the amorous relationship was broken
off by the intervention of Cardinal Mazarin and Queen Anne, the mother
of Louis XIV, who did not approve of the marriage. It is believed that
the Mancini Pearls were actually given as a gift to Marie Mancini
by King Louis XIV, to symbolize his great affection for her, during the
period of their close relationship.
The portrait of Marie Mancini appearing below, show
her wearing a pair of drop-shaped pearls, apart from a pearl choker. It
is not known whether the drop-shaped pearls worn by Marie Mancini are
the same pearls that are now referred to as Marie Mancini Pearls. If it
is so, it is quite possible that pearl choker too was a gift by King
Louis XIV, as it is difficult to imagine that a king of the status of
Louis XIV, would have just given a single pair of pearl earrings to his
most beloved girlfriend, whom he was planning to marry in the near
future.
Characteristics of
the Mancini Pearls
The Marie Mancini Pearls are an almost identical pair
of white, nacreous, drop-shaped pearls, whose dimensions and individual
weights are not known. However, according to David Bennet, the two
pearls together weighed approximately 400 grains (100 carats), and given
the fact that the two pearls have almost identical shapes and
dimensions, we can assume that each pearl has an approximate weight of
200 grains (50 carats).
One of the drop-shaped pearls (pearl on the left in
the photograph) has a perfect drop-shape, and can be listed among the
most perfect drop-shaped pearls known, such as the "Drexel Pearl." The
second drop-shaped pearl is slightly distorted, with one side bulging
out a little more than the other. The color of the pearls are white,
with a slightly pinkish overtone. The luster of the pearls are also
quite good, given the fact that the pearls are almost 500 years old. The
pearls also appear to have a good surface quality and seem to be
blemish-free.
Mancini Pearls Pendant Earrings
The two pearls have been set as the centerpiece of
two almost identical pearl and diamond pendant earrings, the pearls
forming the dangling pendants, suspended from the diamond-set ear-studs,
by a bell cap arrangement also studded with diamonds. The design on the
ear-studs is a quatrefoil and three circles. The quatrefoil is an ornamental design of four leaves,
resembling a clover leaf; the central largest leaf being covered
on one side by three large circles. The three pear-shaped leaves of the
quatrefoil are set with pear-cut diamonds, and the fourth rounded leaf
below
is set with a round-shaped diamond. The three circles are occupied by
round brilliant-cut diamonds.
History of the
Mancini Pearls
The possible
sources of the Mancini Pearls
The Mancini Pearls are believed to have belonged
originally to the Medici family of Florence, a business oriented family
of Europe, who acquired power, prestige and aristocratic status, through
the accumulation of enormous wealth. The family whose power and
influence extended from the mid-14th century to the mid-18th
century, produced three popes, many rulers of Florence and Tuscany, and
two queens of France, Catherine de Medici (1547-1559) and Marie de
Medici (1600-1610), the queen consorts of Kings Henry II and Henry IV of
France respectively, through whom other members of the royalty of
France, Spain and England descended. The Mancini Pearls entered France
in 1600 through Marie de Medici, the queen consort of Henry IV from 1600
to 1610, and after Henry IV's assassination the regent for her son King
Louis XIII until 1617. It is not known for how long the Mancini Pearls
remained with the Medici family prior to its entry into France through
Marie de Medici in 1600. However, if the pearls had entered the Medici
family after 1498, the year pearls were discovered for the first time in
the New World, in Venezuela by Christopher Columbus, the possible
sources of the pearl could have been Venezuela, Colombia or Panama,
apart from the traditional sources of the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea and
the Gulf of Mannar.
A short history of
the Medici family
The Medici family who originated from the
agricultural region north of Florence, rose into prominence in the early
14th century when they were involved in the lucrative wool trade with
France and Spain, that brought them wealth and political influence. By
the latter part of that century Salvestro de Medici became the de facto
ruler of Florence, after leading the common people in the revolt of the
ciompi - the small artisans. However by the year 1382, Salvestro de
Medici became very unpopular, and was banished from the city. The
fortunes of the family again increased only in the early 15th century,
when Giovanni di Bicci de Medici set up the Medici Bank, one of the most
prosperous and respected institutions in Europe, and the Medici family
became one of the wealthiest families in Italy and Europe. Giovanni then
became the virtual ruler of Florence from 1421 to 1429. The two major
branches of the family originated from the two sons of Giovanni, Cosimo,
the eldest son, originating the "senior branch" and Lorenzo, the younger
son, originating the "junior branch." The Medici family produced
the dukes and grand dukes of Florence and Tuscany, until the end of the
dynasty in 1737.
Giovanni de Medici, founder of the Medici Bank
The Medici family
were great patrons of the arts, architecture and literature
The Medici Family were great patrons of the arts,
architecture and literature, and under their rule Florence became the
cultural center of Europe, where Renaissance art and architecture
originated. Some of the great artists who received the patronage of the
family include, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Boticelli, Ficino,
Giovanni Pico della Mirandola etc. In the field of architecture, the
Medici family are renowned for some of the notable features of Florence,
such as the Palazzo Medici, the Belvedere, the Boboli Gardens and the
Uffizi Gallery. The Medici family also patronized the great scientist
Galileo Galilee, who was the tutor for several generations of Medici
children, and gave the scientist a safe haven, when he was accused by
the church of heresy.
The Mancini Pearl
pendant earrings were possibly crafted in Florence
The art of jewelry crafting was also patronized by
the Medicis, and Renaissance jewelry crafting reached an advanced stage
of perfection during their rule. Florence became a great center of
jewelry crafting, where renowned goldsmiths and sculptors such as
Benvenuto Cellini practiced their trade. Numerous Renaissance pendants
incorporating baroque pearls to produce shapes of mythical figures,
dragons, monsters, animals and birds, crafted in Florence and found in
the museums of several countries, is a testimony of the skill of the
jewelry craftsmen of this period. It is possible that even the pair of
Mancini Pearl pendant earrings, could have been crafted by the skilled
craftsmen of 16th century Florence.
The Mancini Pearls
enter France in 1600
Marie de Medici who was born on April 26, 1575, was
one of two surviving children of Francesco I de Medici, Grand Duke of
Tuscany and his wife Johanna, Archduchess of Austria. In October 1600,
she married King Henry IV of France, after the king divorced his first
wife Marguerite de Valois. As it was the tradition at the time, she
brought as part of her dowry 600,000 crowns, and enormous quantities of
jewels and jewelry. The Mancini Pearl pendant earrings was possibly a
part of that jewelry.
The marriage produced five children, of whom the
eldest succeeded his father as King Louis XIII. The second child was a
daughter Elizabeth, who became the Queen of Spain after her marriage to
the future King Philip IV of Spain. The fifth and the last child was
Henrietta Maria, who became the Queen of England and Scotland in 1625,
after her marriage to King Charles I of England and Scotland.
Marie de Medici- Queen consort of Henry IV of France
In 1610, when King Henry IV was assassinated, Marie
de Medici was appointed as regent to her eldest nine-year old son King
Louis XIII, who succeeded his father. Her period of rule as regent was a
disaster due to the pro-Habsburg and pro-Spain policies she adopted,
that eventually led to her exile to the Chateau de Blois in 1617, by her
own son, Louis XIII, who asserted his authority after attaining legal
majority. After reconciling with her son in 1621, through the mediation
of Richelieu, she again antagonized him in November 1630, by attempting
to oust Richelieu, and was exiled for the second time to Compiegne in
1630, from where she escaped to Brussels in 1831, and later moved to
Amsterdam in 1638, and finally ended up in Cologne, where she died in
1642.
The Mancini Pearls
enter England in 1625
It was probably at the time of Henrietta Maria's
marriage to King Charles I in 1625, that the Mancini Pearl pendant
earrings was given as a gift by Marie de Medici, to her youngest
daughter. Thus, the Mancini Pearl pendant earrings entered England from
France in 1625, as part of Henrietta Maria's personal jewelry
collection.
After initial difficulties in her marriage due to her
refusal to give up her Catholic faith, Henrietta Maria eventually forged deep bonds
of love and affection towards her husband in 1628, particularly after
the death of her husband's favorite, the first duke of Buckingham. Their
first child was born in March 1629, followed by eight other children
until the year 1644, of whom only five children survived into adulthood.
Two of her sons, Charles II and James II, became Kings of England and
Scotland. Charles I's firm belief in royal absolutism and the divine
right of kings, as propounded by his father James I, in his book the
"True Law of Free Monarchies," brought him into open conflict with
parliament, that worsened in due course, and led to confrontation
between the parliament and the monarchy.
Henrietta Maria- Queen consort of King Charles I
Charles left London in 1641 and
moved toward the north of England, where he set up court in Oxford, and
began raising an army against parliament. He sent his Queen Henrietta
Maria abroad in February 1642, to raise funds and arms for his war
efforts. Henrietta Maria carried with her most of the crown jewels and
personal jewelry, that included the famous Sancy Diamond, to raise funds
by pawning. She also sought the help of France and Pope Urban VIII.
Eventually she purchased a ship load of arms and landed in Yorkshire, in
the royalist controlled area of northern England in February 1643, and
subsequently joined her husband in Oxford. It was possible that the
Mancini Pearl pendant earrings was among the jewelry items she sold in
France to raise funds for her husband's cause.
Henrietta Maria escaped to France with her children
in July 1644. The civil war that broke out on October 26, 1942,
continued up to the end of 1948, resulting in the triumph of the
parliamentary forces led by Oliver Cromwell. King Charles I was
captured, charged for treason, found guilty and executed on January 30,
1649. Oliver Cromwell's efforts to abolish the monarchy and introduce a
republican form of government was short-lived and came to an end soon
after his death. The monarchy was restored again in 1660, and King
Charles I's eldest son ascended the throne of England, Ireland and
Scotland as King Charles II. Henrietta Maria returned to England in 1660
and lived in the Somerset House in London until 1665, when she returned
permanently to France. She died in France in 1669 at Chateau de Colombes,
and was buried in the royal tombs at Saint Denis Basilica near Paris.
The Mancini Pearls
are brought back to France again. Louis XIV presents the Mancini Pearl
pendant earrings to his first love Marie Mancini.
The Mancini Pearl pendant earrings again entered
France either when Henrietta Maria sold some of her jewels in France to
raise funds for her husband's cause, or as it is believed when she sold
the pearls to her nephew King Louis XIV around the year 1657. In the
year 1657, the young and beautiful Marie Mancini, a niece of Cardinal
Jules Mazarin, the chief minister of France during the minority of Louis
XIV, entered into a romantic relationship with the young king Louis XIV.
She was 18 years of age and King Louis XIV was 19. Initially Jules
Mazarin and Anne of Austria, the kings mother, approved of the
relationship. It was during this period that Louis XIV, presented the
Mancini Pearl pendant earrings to Marie Mancini his beloved sweet heart.
The name Mancini Pearls originated only after the pair of almost
identical pearls became the property of Marie Mancini, and perhaps
identified in her portraits painted during this period.
Marie Mancini
Marie Mancini's
forceful separation from her lover Louis XIV, and her marriage to an
Italian nobleman
Unfortunately the relationship of the young couple
was short lived, as Anne and Jules Mazarin had other marriage plans for
the young Louis XIV. It was difficult to understand the change of
attitude of Anne and Mazarin towards the young lovers, as Mazarin
himself was responsible for bringing his five nieces from Italy to
France in order to enhance their marriage prospects. Possibly it was
something to do with the superstitious belief of Marie Mancini's own
mother, who was told in a horoscope that Marie would cause trouble in
the future, and expressed a wish on her death bed that Cardinal Mazarin
should shut Marie up in a convent and keep her there. Perhaps it might
have been due to her birth, not being of royal descent, But in all
probability it might have been due to Anne's desire to get Louis XIV
married to his cousin, Infanta Maria Theresa, daughter of Philip IV of
Spain. In 1659, while negotiations for the marriage of King Louis XIV to
Infanta Maria Theresa were taking place, Mazarin forcefully removed
Marie Mancini from the court and had her sequestered with two of her
sisters in the remote fortress of Brouage. Thus the young couple was
almost forcefully separated and their romantic relationship came to an
end. After Louis XIV married Infanta Maria Theresa of Spain in 1660,
Mazarin arranged Marie Mancini's marriage to Lorenzo Onofrio
Colonna, grand constable of Naples and head of the most powerful noble
family in Rome, which took place in 1661. Thus Marie Mancini settled in
Rome with her husband.
Marie Mancini's
separation from her husband Lorenzo O. Colonna, and her eventual
resettlement in Spain
The marriage produced three children, all sons. After
the birth of her third son Carlo in 1665, their marriage ran into
problems, and Marie Mancini separated from her husband. Eventually in
1672, fearing that her husband was planning to kill her, she escaped
from Rome with her sister Hortense, and took refuge in southern France,
where initially she received the protection of King Louis the XIV, which
was subsequently withdrawn possibly after her husband's
intervention. She then moved to Chambery, where she was received at the
court of the Duke of Savoy for a brief period, and then to
Flanders, where she was incarcerated by the Flemish agents of her
husband, who demanded her return to Rome. While at Flanders she was able
to convince the authorities to release her, and then she set sail to
Spain, where she entered a convent in Madrid, which partially fulfilled
her mother's death wish that she be confined to a convent.
Marie Mancini
publishes her memoirs in 1677
In 1677, in response to an earlier publication
entitled "Memoires de M.L.P.M.M. Colonne," purported to be her own
life story in her own words, Marie Mancini published her own memoirs
entitled
La Vérité dans son jour, ou les véritables mémoires de M. Mancini,
connétable Colonne (Truth in its day, the real memory of Marie
Mancini connetable Colonne). In response to this the original writer
Sébastien Brémond published a revised edition in 1678, titled
Apologie ou les véritables mémoires de Madame la Connétable Colonna,
Maria Mancini, écrits par elle-même (Apology or real memories of
Madam Connétable Colonna, Maria Mancini, written by herself). Apart from
her memoirs, which incidentally was one of the first ever published by a
woman of the elite in France, Marie Mancini also published several
astrological almanacs, which shows her familiarity with medieval Arabic
works in Astrology translated into Latin, and the works of Kepler and
Cardano. It appears that, the way she lived her life in isolation, cut
off from her husband and children, partially
substantiated what her horoscope predicted that she would cause trouble
in the future for the person who married her, for which her mother
instructed Cardinal Mazarin that she should enter a convent.
Marie Mancini returns
to Italy in 1689
Marie Mancini continued to reside in Madrid, Spain,
and only after the death of her former husband in 1689, did she decide
to return to Italy. She remained in Italy for the rest of her life
looking after the interests of her three sons, and died in Pisa on May
8, 1715, and was buried in the church of the Holy Sepulcher.
The fate of the Marie
Mancini Pearls after 1715
The fate of the Marie Mancini Pearls after her death
in 1715 is not known. Perhaps she disposed of the pearls before her
death while she was still living in Madrid, or after she settled again
in Italy. Perhaps the pearls were given as a gift to one of her sons or
their spouses or her grandchildren, while she was living in Italy.
Whatever might have been the fate of the pearls after 1715, it was only
after 264 years in October 1979, that pearl reappeared again at a public
auction at Christie's in New York, where the pearls fetched a price of
$253,000.
You are welcome to discuss this post/related topics with Dr Shihaan and other experts from around the world in our FORUMS (forums.internetstones.com)
Related :-
1)
The Canning Jewel
2)
Sculptural Pendants in the State Hermitage Museum,
St. Petersberg
3)
Sancy Diamond
External Links :-
Mancini Marie- SIEFAR .ORG
References :-
1) Famous Pearls - Paul M. Mikkelsen, Ph.D., Curator
of Malacology, AMNH New York.
2) Christie's Jewelry Collecting Guide, Famous
Collections - www.christies.com
3) Henrietta Maria of France - From Wikipedia, the
free encyclopedia.
4) Marie Mancini - From Wikipedia, the free
encyclopedia.
5) Marie de Medici - From Wikipedia, the free
encyclopedia.
6) History of the Medici Family -
www.tuscany-toscana.info
7) The Strong Auction Market for Natural Pearls -
David Bennet, World Pearl Forum, Dubai 2009.
