Forgotten Scepter of Empress Carlota of Mexico on Display at Miramare Castle
On April 16, 2024, a scepter that belonged to Empress Carlota of Mexico was unveiled at Miramare Castle in Trieste. This exquisite piece, crafted from 22-karat gold, measures 34 cm in length and 6 cm in width, and is embellished with diamonds, rubies, and emeralds, topped with an imperial crown. The scepter features the monogram of the Mexican Empire along with a ribbon that reads "San Juan del Rio 1864." It was made by silversmith Jose Maria Larralde and presented to Carlota by a delegation from San Juan del Rio on April 10, 1864, just before her return to Mexico. The item was auctioned on July 18, 2023, and later acquired by Fondazione CRTrieste, which restored it for display.
Key facts
- Scepter of Empress Carlota of Mexico on display at Miramare Castle since April 16, 2024
- Scepter made of 22-karat gold, 34 cm long, 6 cm wide, adorned with diamonds, rubies, emeralds
- Crafted by silversmith Jose Maria Larralde, signed on base plaque
- Scepter contains dedication scroll from San Juan del Rio
- Imperial couple departed from Miramare Castle on April 10, 1864
- Scepter offered to Carlota by delegation from San Juan del Rio in 1864
- Passed to Leopold II of Belgium, then to Baron Adrien Goffinet
- Sold at auction by Goffinet family on July 18, 2023, in Monaco, purchased by Fondazione CRTrieste
- Exhibited in Oriental Salon of Miramare Castle
Entities
Artists
- Jose Maria Larralde
- Carlota of Mexico
- Maximilian of Habsburg
- Leopold II of Belgium
- Adrien Goffinet
Institutions
- Miramare Castle
- Fondazione CRTrieste
- Artribune
Locations
- Trieste
- Italy
- Mexico
- Veracruz
- Mexico City
- San Juan del Rio
- Monaco
- Belgium