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A map of Vauxhall Gardens Samuel Wale, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Established in 1729 by Jonathan Tyers, Vauxhall Gardens was an exotic outdoor pleasure ground and social venue, the likes of which had never been seen before the Regency era. Wandering the pleasure gardens during eighteenth or nineteenth century London, one experienced a plethora… Continue reading Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens Part I

Sarah Child Villiers, Countess of Jersey (4 March 1785 – 26 January 1867), was a very prominent female figure in Regency society. As the leading patroness of Almack's Assembly Rooms, she was reverently referred to as “Queen Sarah” due to her social status and power over the members of the ton. Thomas Lawrence, Public domain,… Continue reading The Powerful & Formidable “Queen Sarah”, Sarah Child Villiers, Countess of Jersey (1785-1867)

George Gordon Noel Byron, 6th Baron Byron (22 January 1788 - 19 April 1824), one of the greatest British writers and poets during the Romantic Movement. Lord Byron is infamous for his love affairs and inappropriate sexual relationships, debts, and illegitimate children. Devastatingly handsome, he moved easily among the circles of London's society and earned… Continue reading Lord Byron: “Mad, bad, and dangerous to know.” The man, the legend…

Source: http://www.RCT.UK The Royal Sceptre and the 530.2 carat Star of Africa diamond. The Coronation Royal Sceptre cradles a magnificent 530.2 carat teardrop shaped diamond known as the Star of Africa. This incomparable diamond is mounted with enameled brackets decorated with emeralds, amethyst, rose-cut diamonds, rubies, and spinels. Above the Star of Africa is a… Continue reading The Royal Crown Jewels

The Royal Crown jewels of France, worn by Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI, which disappeared during the Revolution, are unveiled after being hidden from the public’s eye for 200 years. The French Royal Crown jewels disappeared from the Palace of Versailles during the historic revolutionary uprising of the fish market women and men who… Continue reading The Lost Royal Jewels of Marie Antoinette

Re-imagining the sensuous scent of a Queen. France, 1790 - Imagine...you are Queen Marie Antoinette, awaiting the arrival of your private perfumer in the gardens of Trianon, a short distance from Versailles.  You intend to ask your royal perfumer, Jean-Louis, to create a scent that embodies the spirit of Trianon, your place of happiness and… Continue reading Recreating Marie Antoinette’s Perfume

Marie Antoinette, known for her lavish lifestyle of self-indulgence, possessed what is now one of the 14 Most Expensive Jewels In The World—a sparkling diamond necklace with one lush 1.84 karat pink diamond and two yellow accent diamonds of 7.06 and 5.24 karats. Source:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cScKgXZ571o Although the beautiful and spoiled queen lived an indulgent life during… Continue reading A Life of Luxury or a Living Nightmare?

Welcome!  Today, let’s stroll down a garden path to the Petit Trianon, Marie Antoinette’s place of escape from the rigid rules and etiquette of French court. Let's peek into the private life and secluded residence of Marie Antoinette. The Petit Trianon The history of the Petit Trianon, designed by Ange-Jacques Gabriel, is an interesting one… Continue reading The Secret Life of Marie Antoinette

Marie Antoinette was not only notorious for her scandalous behavior but also for her sense of fashion and beauty.  In the following portrait of Marie Antoinette Joseph Ducreux painted at the young age of thirteen in 1769, the artist captures her glowing beauty.  While Marie awaited her nuptials in Austria, this miniature portrait was sent… Continue reading Marie Antoinette – A Notorious Beauty at the Court of Versailles, France.