NEVERS
Very rare earthenware plate with contoured border, with polychrome decoration of a necklace referring to the affair of the Queen's necklace.
Late 18th century, Revolutionary period (five chips)
D : 23 cm
The affair of the Queen's necklace shook in 1785 the whole Court of Versailles. Madame de La Motte intrigued with two jewellers to steal a 2800 carat diamond necklace that Queen Marie-Antoinette had previously refused to buy. Tricking the Cardinal de Rohan, the schemer and her accomplices persuaded him to buy the necklace on the queen's behalf. Letters usurping Marie-Antoinette's signature convinced him. The thieves steal the piece and then try to sell the loose diamonds. The thieves were caught and the Cardinal was implicated. However, he was acquitted and the affair did great harm to the innocent Queen. Public opinion did not want to believe in the innocence of the Queen, who was accused of participating in the deficit of the kingdom's budget through her excessive spending and of having loose morals.
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