Today marks the anniversary of the Death of Grand Duchess Elena Vladimirovna, Princess Nicholas of Greece, the only daughter of Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich of Russia and Duchess Marie of Mecklenburg-Schwerin who married Prince Nicholas of Greece and became the mother of Princess Paul of Yugoslavia, Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent, and Princess Elisabeth, Countess of Törring-Jettenbach, Grand Duchess Elena possessed many spectacular jewels, including a collection of Sapphire Jewels!
Vladimir Fringe Tiara | Diamond Kokoshnik Tiara | Ruby Parure | Pearl Circle Bandeau | Diamond Bow Brooch | Emerald Brooch | Diamond Crown Brooch | Sapphire Brooches and Earrings
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💥A sapphire and diamond brooch and matching ear clips, once belonging to the formidable aunt of Emperor Nicholas II, Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna, and smuggled out of Russia for safekeeping during the 1917 revolution, sold for $850,000: https://t.co/JWxfFesw2i #SothebysJewels pic.twitter.com/hDLPuVNfd2
— Sotheby's (@Sothebys) November 10, 2021
💥A sapphire and diamond brooch and matching ear clips, once belonging to the formidable aunt of Emperor Nicholas II, Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna, and smuggled out of Russia for safekeeping during the 1917 revolution, sold for $850,000: https://t.co/JWxfFesw2i #SothebysJewels pic.twitter.com/hDLPuVNfd2
— Sotheby's (@Sothebys) November 10, 2021Originating from the legendary collection of Grand Duchess Vladimir, the Sapphire and Diamond Brooch and a pair of Ear Clips were smuggled out of Russia during the Revolution before being inherited by her only daughter, the Grand Duchess Elena Vladimirovna, Princess Nicholas of Greece. Princess Nicholas notably wore the Sapphire and Diamond Brooch and pair of Ear Clips at the Wedding of Prince Paul of Yugoslavia and her daughter, Princess Olga of Greece, in 1923, and they remained with her descendants until 2009, when they was sold at Sotheby’s Geneva.
The ‘Important Sapphire and Diamond Brooch and Ear Clips‘ came up at again Auction at Sotheby’s in Geneva in November 2021, when they sold for 806,500 CHF, much higher than the estimate of 280,000 – 480,000.
Grand Duchess Elena Vladimirovna owned another Sapphire Brooch, which featured a large sugarloaf sapphire of unknown provenance, though it also likely originated from the legendary Vladimir collection. Princess Nicholas was notably pictured wearing the Brooch for the Engagement of Prince George, Duke of Kent and her daughter, Princess Marina of Greece, 1934 and the Wedding of King Michael of Romania and Princess Anne of Bourbon-Parma in 1947. The Brooch also seems to have been worn at the Wedding of Crown Prince Paul of Greece and Princess Frederica of Hanover in 1938. The fate of that Sapphire Brooch is unknown.
Vladimir Fringe Tiara | Diamond Kokoshnik Tiara | Ruby Parure | Pearl Circle Bandeau | Diamond Bow Brooch | Emerald Brooch | Diamond Crown Brooch | Sapphire Brooches and Earrings
