by InTrieste
A truly historic acquisition by the CRTrieste foundation in Monte Carlo: the precious scepter belonging to Empress Charlotte of Mexico will be exhibited at the Miramare Castle.
The CRTrieste Foundation announces the exceptional acquisition, during an auction held on July 18 at the Hotel de Ventes de Monte-Carlo (Principality of Monaco), of a valuable historical treasure: the scepter belonging to Empress Charlotte of Mexico. This unique object, which had been lost over time, was given to the Empress by the Municipal Council of San Juan del Rio in 1864 and will now find its way to Trieste, in Miramare Castle. Thanks to the intervention of the CRTrieste Foundation, the scepter will be loaned to the Historical Museum and the Park of Miramare Castle to be displayed to the public.
This acquisition represents an event of international relevance, as the object symbolizes a peculiar period in European history during the mid-19th century when Trieste played a central role in international geopolitical events, with connections even overseas to the Central American country. Moreover, this operation allows the object to return to its “historical home” after it reached Europe and was later in the possession of Leopold II, King of Belgium, brother of Charlotte, who had given it to Baron Adrien Goffinet as a token of gratitude for his good and loyal services.
The Object – The scepter of Empress Charlotte of Mexico is a 22-carat gold jewel, entirely decorated with filigree and engraved with floral and leaf motifs, measuring 34 cm long and 6 cm wide. It is adorned with diamonds, rubies, and emeralds, weighing a total of 418.50 grams. The scepter is set on a sphere with volutes and topped by an imperial crown made of gold threads, pearls, and eagles with outspread wings. The diadem rests on a filigree cushion of gold trimmings and is embellished with rubies, emeralds, and diamonds set in the lunette. The ends of the scepter are adorned with finely chiseled leaves and acorns in relief. It is decorated with the monogram of the Mexican Empire desired by Maximilian, with a ribbon below bearing the inscription “San Juan del Rio 1864.” On the base, there is a small plaque with the signature of the goldsmith Jose Maria Larralde. The scepter is kept in its original case.
The Story of the Acquisition – The management of the Historical Museum and the Park of Miramare Castle notified the CRTrieste Foundation that the auction house Hotel de Ventes de Monte-Carlo in the Principality of Monaco had announced the auction of the scepter of Empress Charlotte, by the will of the descendants of Baron Adrien Goffinet, who owned it. In just a few days, from Thursday, July 13, to Monday, July 17, the CRTrieste Foundation, having obtained necessary information about the object, its origin, and its historical-artistic value, including consultation with an expert in the field, urgently convened a Board of Directors meeting, held on July 17, which decided to participate in the auction the following day. After the auction, the CRTrieste Foundation acquired the artifact for €120,000. The subsequent days saw the initiation of the process to transfer the scepter from the Principality of Monaco to Trieste.
Empress Charlotte – Princess Maria Charlotte of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, the youngest and only female descendant of Leopold I, King of Belgium, and his second wife Louise Marie d’Orléans. Born on June 7, 1840, in Laeken, from an early age, she dedicated herself to the arts and painting. She met Archduke Maximilian of Austria, the younger brother of Emperor Franz Joseph, at a court ball at Laeken in May 1856, and shortly after, they became engaged and married the following year. On September 6, 1857, the couple arrived in Milan, the capital of the Lombardo-Venetian Kingdom, where Maximilian served as the governor until 1859. Together with Maximilian, Charlotte settled in Trieste, where they actively participated in the construction of Miramare Castle, living in the Castle’s Small Chateau. In 1863, a delegation of Mexican notables offered Maximilian the crown of Emperor of Mexico. In 1864, the new Emperor and his consort set sail from Miramare to reach Central America. The situation in Mexico proved more difficult than expected due to the revolutionary pressures of Benito Juarez. Charlotte, now Empress, was soon forced to return to Europe to seek military and economic aid from the court of Napoleon III and Pope Pius IX, but she found no support. It was during this time that she began to show signs of mental fragility and instability, and she was brought back to Trieste and later, upon hearing the news of Maximilian’s execution by Mexican revolutionaries on June 19, 1867, she was taken back to Belgium, where she died at the age of eighty-seven on June 19, 1927.
Baron Adrien Goffinet – Adrien Goffinet was born in Neufchâteau in 1812 to an ancient family of the Ardennes. At the age of twenty, he enlisted in an infantry regiment and embarked on a career that led him to the position of deputy officer of the general staff in 1838. Becoming Secretary of the Belgian Commission responsible for territorial boundaries, his versatility and diplomatic skills in relations with the Minister of Foreign Affairs led him to become a first-class captain in the 1st Chasseurs Regiment before joining the court of King Leopold I. Thanks to his excellent management and decision-making abilities, he was entrusted with the finances of the Court and those of the heir to the throne, who had come of age, and to whom Goffinet remained loyal throughout his career. The death of the King and the accession of Leopold II affected Goffinet’s position, and he was offered the post of Secretary to the King and Queen. After the tragic events in Mexico involving Maximilian, Leopold II tasked Goffinet with bringing his sister back to Belgium. Having successfully completed all the missions entrusted to him, Goffinet was elevated to the title of Baron in 1870, a title later extended to the descendants of his lineage.
Statements – “Thanks to the notification from the management of the Historical Museum and the Park of Miramare, we were able to participate in the auction of this precious scepter, which has a deep connection with our territory. The CRTrieste Foundation’s desire to enrich the local cultural heritage and the prompt action taken allowed this jewel to return to the beloved “home” of its first owner, Princess Charlotte of Belgium,” says Massimo Paniccia, President of the CRTrieste Foundation. “I am convinced that the scepter will further enrich the already remarkable cultural and artistic heritage represented by Miramare Castle, providing yet another reason to visit. This initiative,” President Paniccia continues, “recalls the Foundation’s involvement in 2008 when it played a key role in acquiring the ‘Art and Industry Stock’ collection. Today, just like back then, the CRTrieste Foundation’s governing bodies acted promptly, also thanks to the private nature of the organization, allowing the territory to acquire a unique cultural asset that can attract important tourist flows.”
“I am truly grateful to the CRTrieste Foundation and its President Massimo Paniccia,” says Andreina Contessa, Director of the Historical Museum and the Park of Miramare Castle, “for acting with foresight and promptness, and for allowing us to acquire a precious jewel that represents such a significant moment in the public history of the archducal couple who founded Miramare Castle and chose Trieste as their preferred and beloved residence. With its discreet and proactive presence, the CRTrieste Foundation has closely followed and supported the management of the site under my direction, actively intervening in the restoration of the Tower and, recently, in the restoration of some of the great portraits in the picture gallery of the Throne Room. Special thanks to the Secretary-General of the CRTrieste Foundation, Paolo Santangelo, who acted swiftly and effectively to secure an extremely rare and valuable piece that will be made available to the public for visitors to the Castle, further enriching the city’s collection.”
Upon being informed of the prestigious acquisition, the Director-General of Museums at the Ministry of Culture, Massimo Osanna, recalls having been present at Miramare in September 2020 on the occasion of the presentation of the restoration of the Tower, curated by the CRTrieste Foundation. Prof. Osanna applauds the achievement of this new acquisition, emphasizing “the importance of fruitful collaboration between public and private entities for the recovery and enjoyment of cultural assets which, even in the case of this unprecedented and unexpected acquisition, contribute to enhancing the fame and richness of museums like Miramare Castle and, at the same time, provide future generations with a historical heritage that should be made available to all.”
