Josephine

From Treasures of Napoleon


 


This lock of Joséphine’s hair was collected by her private physician, Dr. Lamoureux, on the day of her death, May 29, 1814. Historical Provenance - Prince Murat collection.

Joséphine’s monogrammed tortoise shell box

- c. 1799-1800

The opposite of Napoléon in temperament, Joséphine loved to spend money on beautiful objects. He gave her a monthly allowance of 50,000 francs for personal expenses and 10,000 for charities, but her spending often exceeded that.

Historical Provenance - Marshal Ney’s collection

Tortoise shell ornamented with guilloche

Joséphine’s books from Malmaison

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Given little early schooling, Joséphine could barely read until she was a young adult. After learning, she developed a passion for books. The library at Malmaison covered a broad range of topics, showing the Imperial couple’s interests and intellect. With her prayer book, bound in red Morocco leather, is a volume from Delandine’s New Historical Dictionary 1804, evidencing the love of history she shared with her husband.

Historical Provenance - Library of Malmaison

Leather and paper

Joséphine’s portfolio for the annulment papers

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This artifact is one of two almost identical portfolios, which originally contained the official documents annulling Napoléon and Joséphine’s marriage, along with affidavits testifying to the irregularity of their religious marriage.

Red Morocco leather