Empress Josephine returns to The Briars

Stolen from The Briars

Imagine shopping on eBay and stumbling across a valuable stolen work of art with a modest price tag of $250. That’s exactly what happened to Sydney art dealer Leigh Capel.

The rare portrait of Josephine Bonaparte, Napoleon Bonaparte’s first wife, was stolen from The Briars at Mount Martha in 2014. At the time of its theft it was valued at $3000 and was part of the historic homestead’s 382- item Napoleonic Collection – reported to be the biggest collection of Napoleonic artefacts outside France. Since the break-in, the remainder of the collection has been secured at the Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery, and thanks to Leigh’s discovery the stolen portrait has been returned.

From the mid-1940s The Briars was home to pastoralist Alexander Balcombe and his family. Alexander was born on the island of St Helena, where Napoleon was exiled. Alexander’s granddaughter Dame Mabel Brookes assembled the Napoleonic Collection, which was bequeathed to the National Gallery of Victoria in the 1970s. It was then placed on loan to the National Trust for display at The Briars.

There are still nine priceless artefacts from the collection that haven’t been recovered, including locks of Napoleon’s hair, a golden locket, a medallion, and a silver inkwell set with three gold coins that were reportedly in his pocket when he died.

The Briars homestead has been closed for an extended time for extensive maintenance and for security to be upgraded. It is expected to reopen in July, after which some of the collection will be exhibited once again.

The Briars is well worth a visit to immerse yourself not only in art and history but in nature. You can explore the property along bushland walking trails. There is also a wildlife sanctuary, nursery, eco-living display centre, eateries, and the Mornington Peninsula Astronomical Society’s observatory.

THE BRIARS A: 450 Nepean Highway, Mount Martha