INTERNATIONAL: Two tiaras, believed to have belonged to French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte's first wife Josephine, sold for more than $760,000 at auction on Tuesday. Set with engraved gemstones, the early 19th century pieces are part of matching jewellery sets, or parures, and were offered as part of auction house Sotheby's "Treasures" sale.

It’s a beautiful tiara set, with incredible engravings. Carnelian representing classical scenes. The symbols are very important to Josephine and Napoléon Bonaparte, the French military and political leader who rose to prominence during the French revolution. The said tiaras will be a part of Sotheby’s “Tresures”sale. It's a very rare example of early near classicism jewellery from the 18th century made in about 1805, has believed to have been worn and owned by Empress Josephine Bonaparte.'

The head of London Jewellery at Sotheby’s, Kristian Spofforth says the set of tiaras is incredibly important because it's such a rare example, we say things that are often museum quality and this truly is the case with this and having been housed in the Victoria and Albert Museum for the nearly 100 years. The workmanship is absolutely fantastic, and it just coincides with the 200th anniversary of Napoleon's death, so, it is a perfect time to present this suite to auction.

One tiara, in gold and enamel and set with 25 carnelian intaglios, sold for $597,360. It was offered with a pair of earrings, hair comb and belt ornament.

The second gold and enamel tiara featuring five head cameos of Zeus, Dionysus, Medusa, Pan and Gaia of ancient Greek mythology, sold for $166,000. It was offered with a belt clasp and belt ornament.