Royal Jewels from the Bourbon Parma Family

The major European Auction Houses are having their annual autumn Royal and Noble Jewellery Sales, and the uncontested highlight is the ‘Royal Jewels from the Bourbon Parma Family’ Sale at Sotheby’s in Geneva on November 14th, featuring one of the largest and historic royal collections to be auctioned in recent years. While the owner has not been specified, it is thought that these jewels are being sold by the heirs of Infanta Alicia, Duchess of Calabria, who passed away last year. Unfortunately, this is not the first sale of Bourbon Parma jewels, as they have been selling off their pieces for decades.

Royal Jewels from the Bourbon Parma Family

Order of St Louis of Civil Merit | Constantinian Order of St George| Order of the Redeemer|Roumania Royal House Order|Order of the Saint-Esprit | Order of the Golden Fleece

Estimate:  1,200 — 1,500 CHF |3,000 — 4,000 CHF |600 — 800 CHF |1,000 — 1,500 CHF |100,000 — 200,000 CHF | 300,000 — 400,000 CHF

Lots 1-26 of the Sale are a variety of Orders, Honours, and Insignia: from the Duchy of Parma, including the Order of St Louis of Civil Merit and the Constantinian Order of St George, the Greek Order of the Reedemer (probably given to the Duke of Calabria at the wedding of Prince Juan Carlos and Princess Sofia of Greece), the Roumania Royal House Order, the French Order of the Saint-Esprit, and various insignia from the illustrious Order of the Golden Fleece.

Pearl and Diamond Earrings | Diamond Pendant/Brooch | Diamond Pendent Earrings | Emerald and Diamond Pendants | Ruby and Diamond Earrings and Brooch | Pearl and Diamond Bow Brooch | Sapphire and Diamond Brooch | Historic Bow Brooch | Diamond Brooch | Gem set and Diamond Brooch |Seed Pearl Bracelets |Yellow Sapphire and Diamond Brooch |Diamond Earrings and Pendants|Diamond Brooch|Diamond Brooch|Pearl and Diamond Pendants|Sapphire and Diamond brooch| Orangy Pink Diamond Ring

Estimate: 15,000 — 25,000 CHF | 25,000 — 35,000 CHF |150,000 — 250,000 CHF | 10,000 — 15,000 CHF | 150,000 — 200,000 CHF | 5,000 — 8,000 CHF | 30,000 — 50,000 CHF | 75,000 — 110,000 CHF |5,000 — 8,000 CHF |15,000 — 25,000 CHF |20,000 — 30,000 CHF | 40,000 — 65,000 CHF|50,000 — 80,000 & 20,000 — 30,000 CHF | 20,000 — 30,000 CHF |12,000 — 16,000 CHF|30,000 — 50,000 CHF|50,000 — 250,000 CHF|120,000 — 180,000 CHF

From the collection of Archduchess Marie Anne of Austria, Princess Elie de Bourbon Parme

A variety of lots include handwritten notes from the inventory of Archduchess Marie Anne of Austria, Princess Elie de Bourbon Parme (mother of Infanta Alicia), including a pair of natural pearl and diamond earrings with a “the earrings were given by my father-in-law for the birth of my daughter Elisabeth“. A Diamond pendant/brooch, circa 1869, with the note “… given by Duke Charles II de Parme as a wedding gift to Duchess Marie Pie, and was then given to me as a wedding gift as well by my husband, Prince Elie, who had inherited it from his mother“. A pair of large diamond earrings of girandole design, which “come from Marie Thérèse de Savoie, Duchess of Parma, wife of Duke Charles II of Parma, and given to her grand-son, Robert I Duke of Parma“. Two large pear shaped emerald cabochons were “inheritance from my mother“. A Ruby parure that are “Inheritance from my mother. From a sale of the Queen Isabelle II of Spain“. A diamond bow with a pearl at the centre, “part of the aigrette from Empress Marie Anne“. A large diamond and sapphire bow by Köchert, “I received the bow from Archduke Rainier for the birth of my son Robert“. A large diamond bow to be worn with the Order of the Starry Cross that was “Inheritance from my mother. From the estate of Archduchess Marie (Rainier), formerly from the collection of Empress Marie Thérèsa“. A diamond brooch, “gifted by my brother for my seventeen birthday as a Bow for the Order of the Starry Cross“. A trefoil brooch with four leaves, ruby, sapphire, emerald and yellow sapphire, a “gift from my mother, given by Empress Marie Anne for my birth“. Two seed pearl bracelets with a diamond clasp of a snake’s head design, a “legacy from Empress Marie Anne“. A yellow sapphire and diamond brooch, given to Archduchess Marie Anne by her mother on the occasion of her own 70th birthday in 1926. Two diamond studs, “given by my father for my wedding“, to be worn with Diamond pendants, also worn by Infanta Alicia. A Diamond brooch by Köchert, “given by Emperor François Joseph for the birth of my daughter Marie Françoise“. A Diamond brooch by Köchert,”a gift from Archduke Rainier and his wife for my wedding“. A pair of pearl and diamond pendants, a” gift from my mother for her golden anniversary. From Archduchess Marie (Rainier); formerly belonged to Empress Marie Thérèse”. A sapphire and diamond brooch, “can be worn as the clasp of the large pearl necklace. This was given to me as a wedding gift by my mother, Archduchess Isabelle of Austria“. An impressive fancy orangy pink diamond ring, circa 1909, given by Archduke Frédéric of Austria to his daughter, Archduchess Marie Anne on the occasion of the birth of her son, Robert.

Diamond Tiara | Ruby and Diamond Brooch/Hair Ornament| Diamond Tiara

Estimate:  80,000 — 120,000 CHF200,000 — 300,000 CHF | 350,000 — 550,000 CHF

From the collection of Archduchess Marie Anne of Austria, Princess Elie de Bourbon Parme

A Diamond tiara by Köchert, given by Emperor François Joseph of Austria to Archduchess Marie Anne of Austria on the occasion of her wedding to Prince Elie de Bourbon-Parme, and worn as a choker on her wedding day. A fine ruby and diamond brooch/hair ornament from Bachruch, “a gift from my father for the birth of my son, Charles,” in 1905. A Diamond Tiara featuring diamond fleur de lys motifs, made for Archduchess Marie Anne by Hübner in 1912, using diamond originally set in the Star of the Order of the Saint-Esprit of King Charles X of France.

Natural Pearl Parure |Impressive Diamond Set|Diamond Ring|Diamond and Woven Hair Ring|Diamond and Woven Hair Ring|Pocket Watch|Diamond Brooch|Diamond Brooch|Important Natural Pearl Necklace|Fine Natural Pearl Necklace|Important Pearl and Diamond Pendent Earrings|Exceptional and Highly Important Pearl and Diamond Pendant

Estimate:  5,000 — 8,000 CHF |300,000 – 500,000 CHF|8,000 — 12,000 CHF| 8,000 — 10,000 CHF|8,000 – 20,000 CHF|8,000 – 10,000 CHF|50,000 — 80,000 CHF|95,000 – 140,000 CHF|200,000 — 300,000 CHF|40,000 — 70,000 CHF|200,000 — 300,000 CHF|1,000,000 — 1,990,000 CHF

From the collection of the Duchess d’Angoulême and Queen Marie Antoinette of France

A natural pearl parure, including a clasp that was formerly part of a six row pearl bracelet – one of a pair – which belonged to Queen Marie Antoinette, “inherited by Marie Thérèse de France, Duchess d’Angoulême, Countesse de Marne, then to her niece and adoptive daughter, Louise Marie Thérèse de France, Mademoiselle Duchesse de Parme”. A Superb diamond set, with diamonds that come from the Duke of Berry, Duchess d’Angoulême, and Princess Isabel de Croÿ, Archduchess Frederick of Austria. Three rings come from Queen Marie Antoinette and “were given by her daughter, Madame la Duchesse d’Angoulême,  to her niece and adoptive daughter Louise de France, Duchesse de Parme, who then gave them to her son Robert I Duc de Parme”. An enamel and seed pearl pocket watch, “which belonged to Queen Marie Antoinette, and coming from Duchess of Angouleme (the movement was changed). This is a gift given by my husband, Prince Elijah, who received it from his mother“. A diamond bow with a pendant set with a large yellow diamond,  from Marie Antoinette, Queen of France. A diamond bow, large yellow diamond at the center, “meant to come from the jewels of Queen Marie Antoinette.  (This was told me by my father-in-law, but I did not find the confirmation in the existing wills Probably this knot was raised to nine, or was it part of an ornament and consequently was not mentioned). The bow was given to me as an engagement gift by my father-in-law, Duke Robert I of Parma“. An important pair of natural pearl and diamond pendent earrings coem from the collection of Queen Marie Antoinette. An important natural pearl and diamond necklace (last worn by worn by Infanta Alicia), along with a fine natural pearl and diamond necklace are also among the jewels of Queen Marie Antoinette, and were previously worn with the exceptional and highly important natural pearl and diamond pendant, “comes as it is from Queen Marie Antoinette and was inherited by Marie Thérèse de France, Duchess d’Angoulême, Countesse de Marne, then to her niece and adoptive daughter, Louise Marie Thérèse de France, Mademoiselle Duchesse de Parme

13

2 thoughts on “Royal Jewels from the Bourbon Parma Family

  1. This is a great feature! I’m just confused who exactly was the “Empress Marie Therese” Archduchess Maria Anna referred to? Empress Maria Theresa, co-founder of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine or her granddaughter from Naples & Sicily?

  2. Why would they sell off the family jewels that have such a rich history for them? With the exception of Marie Antoinettes, a lot were gifts given at pinnacle moments in their lives as well. Are they that desperate for money? I would never let it go.

Leave a Reply