A much requested post after the success of the first, Upcoming Auctions: Royal Jewels for Auction. It will focus on the upcoming Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels on May 17th in Geneva, and the Christie’s Geneva Magnificent Jewels on May 18th.

Sotheby’s Magnificent and Noble Jewels Sale- Geneva- 17 May 2016

Emerald and diamond necklace and a pair of earrings

Estimate: $600,000-$800,000

Formerly in the collection of the Duchess of Berry (1798-1870)

This necklace set with rose diamonds and pear-shaped emeralds, the central stone weighing 14.03 carats, and earrings set with emeralds and diamonds belonged to the Duchess of Berry. She was the wife of Henri, Duke of Berry, son of King Charles X of France. The Duke was assassinated in 1820, and the Duchess birth to an heir, Henri, posthumously. She is famous for supporting the Bourbon claim to the French Throne for her son, but was unable to succeed. Henri, known as Count of Chambord, had no children, and was the last of the Bourbon dynasty.

Diamond pendant  | Emerald and diamond brooch

Estimate:  $1,000,000-$1,200,000 | $500,000 – $800,000

From the Collection of the Princes Doria Pamphilj

This large pear-shaped diamond pendant, and impressive emerald and diamond brooch,(circa 1840), were made for the Princess Mary Althea Beatrix Doria Pamphilj, the daughter of a British lord, who received the jewels as wedding gifts from her Italian Prince in 1840. The family still own the Palazzo Doria Pamphilj in Rome, as well as two other Palaces in Naples and Genoa.

Emerald and diamond tiara |Emerald and diamond necklace and brooch

Estimate: $200,000 – $400,000 | $120,000 – $190,000

 Property of a European Noble Family

Emerald and Diamond tiara of floral, foliate and garland design, (circa 1910).  The front of the necklace is of garland, foliate and floral design with five detachable pendants similarly set. A diamond pendant/brooch of similar design from which can be suspended three of the pendants. Fitted case stamped Hessenberg & Co.

Natural pearl, emerald and diamond Demi-Parure

Estimate: $100,000 – $150,000

 Property of a European Noble Family

The necklace is composed of a row of natural pearls supporting pendants set with drop-shaped emeralds capped with rose diamonds, alternating with similarly shaped natural pearl. The earrings are composed of circular-cut and rose diamonds supporting a drop-shaped emeralds. (circa. early 20th century)

Natural pearl and diamond tiara 

Estimate: $250,000 – $450,000

From an Important Private Collection

Of foliate and scroll design, set with pear-, cushion-shaped, circular-, single-cut and rose diamonds, and a button shaped natural pearl. (circa. early 19th century)

Seed pearl and diamond tiara

Estimate: $30,000 – $40,000

From an Important Private Collection

Of open work, foliate and floral design, millegrain-set with circular-, single-cut and rose diamonds, further highlighted with seed pearls. (circa 1915)

  Christie’s Magnificent Jewels Sale- Geneva- 18 May 2016

One of the highlights of this sale, the sale of jewels from the collection of Begum Inara Khan, was covered in the last post.

A MID 19TH CENTURY RUBY AND DIAMOND BROOCH/PENDANT

Estimate: $50,000- $80,000

Formerly in the collection of HM Queen Victoria Eugenia of Spain

This oval-cut ruby and old-cut diamond cluster within a flowerhead surround, set with ten old-cut diamonds, circa 1850, was probably made for Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom (1819-1901). She records in her journal a ruby and diamond parure received from her husband Prince Albert in 1849. The parure was inherited by her youngest daughter Princess Beatrice, who loaned it out to her daughter Queen Victoria Eugenie of Spain (1887-1969) for a series of portraits in the 1920s. While the tiara and other pieces of the parure were inherited by Princess Beatrice’s son, the Marquess of Carisbrooke, this brooch was inherited by Queen Victoria Eugenie, who probably sold it when the Spanish Royal family were in exile, from the 1930s to 1970s.

AN EXQUISITE ART DÉCO DIAMOND TIARA, BY CARTIER

Estimate: $200,000- $300,000

Property of a Lady of Title

This Cartier Tiara was designed as a graduated line of old-cut diamond-set arches, between old and rose-cut diamond line borders, surmounted to the center with a pear-shaped diamond. Made in 1920, the start of the Art Deco period, it is designed to be worn low across the forehead, in the style of that time.

A MUGHAL SPINEL BEAD PENDANT

Estimate: $200,000- $300,000

Property of a Royal Family

This 128.10 carat Mughal spinel bead is engraved ‘Jahangir Shah Akbar Shah‘ (dated ‘AH 1018/1609-10 AD‘) and ‘Shah Jahan, Jahangir Shah’ (dated ‘AH 1049/1639-40 AD’), the names of three Mughal Emperors. This stone is carved in the great Mughal tradition, similar stones include the Timur Ruby, which is in the British Royal Collection, and the controversial  Kohinoor Diamond, also in the British Royal Collection.  Akbar Shah, which translates into Emperor Akbar, was the third Mughal Emperor, he is known for his large conquests and creating a religion, Din-i Ilahi, that combines all religions. His son Jahangir Shah was known for his magnificent jewel collection and his ill-fated romance with Anarkali . His son Shah jahan is best remembered for building the Taj Mahal for his favorite wife, who had died in childbirth.