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Medallion With A Lock Of Hair Attributed To Queen Marie Antoinette Sells For €7,500 At French Auction; Rare Item Was Allegedly Removed Hours Before The Execution In 1793.
A rare object linked to the last queen of France drew attention at an auction held this Sunday, 18. A medallion with a lock of hair attributed to Marie Antoinette was sold for €7,500, equivalent to about R$ 47,000. The buyer chose to remain anonymous.
The lock of hair, according to French tradition, was said to have been cut just hours before the queen’s execution in 1793. Tied with a ribbon and a black thread, the hair is white.
According to legend, Marie Antoinette’s hair is said to have turned white overnight due to the stress caused by her impending death sentence.
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The medallion is made of brass and shows minor damage on the back. Along with the object, there is a handwritten note stating: “The hair of Marie Antoinette, Queen of France, was given to me by a prosecutor of the Commune responsible for inspections in the Temple prison at the time this unfortunate woman was detained there.” The authorship of the message is unknown.
Jean-Pierre Osenat, owner of the auction house responsible for the sale, explained to the newspaper The Times that in the 18th century, it was common to offer a lock of hair as a token of affection. He stated that such a gesture was seen as a demonstration of love or friendship.
In addition to the medallion, another item related to the queen was offered for sale at the same event. This is Marie Antoinette’s personal prayer book, still used when she was dauphine, or heir apparent.
The object, however, was not sold, as it did not reach the minimum bid set at €80,000, equivalent to about R$ 500,000.
The book, according to Osenat, remained with Marie Antoinette even after she became queen. It was preserved by the king’s chaplain, Monsignor Roquelaure, who later became Archbishop of Mechelen.
A historical figure marked by controversies, Marie Antoinette faced criticism for her lavish lifestyle. Accused of treason and involved in political scandals, she was executed on October 16, 1793, during the French Revolution.
For Osenat, the figure of the queen continues to evoke strong feelings: “You either idolize her or detest her,” he stated. According to him, collectors show continuous interest in figures like Marie Antoinette, Joséphine de Beauharnais, and Napoleon Bonaparte.
With information from Aventuras na História.
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