The illustrious Princess Armand d’Arenbeg passed away at the age of 101 last August, and later this month, some striking antique and modern Jewels from her collection are going on Auction at the Sotheby’s Fine Jewels Sale in Paris on 21 March 2023, along with a necklace from the family of the late Queen Fabiola of Belgium!
Sotheby’s Fine Jewels | 21 March 2023
Pearl, Sapphire and Diamond Necklace
Estimate: 650,000 – 850,000 EUR Result: €630,000
From an Important European Noble Family
A Pearl, Sapphire and Diamond Necklace composed of a row of oval, button, drop and baroque button-shaped, natural pearls alternating with oval sapphires and bombé shaped motifs set with rose diamonds, suspending removable pendants ornated with slightly baroque drop-shaped natural pearls surmounted with oval sapphires, cushion-shaped and circular-cut diamonds. The necklace, created around 1925, belonged to Doña Blanca de Aragón y Carrillo de Albornoz, Countess of Mora and Marquise of Casa Riera who wore it for the Wedding of King Baudouin of Belgium to her daughter, Doña Fabiola de Mora y Aragón, in 1960. Queen Fabiola notably wore the necklace for a Gala Dinner on a State Visit to France in 1992.
Jewels from Princess Armand d’Arenbeg
The Princess Armand d’Arenberg was the eldest of the three daughters of Charles de Lambertye-Gerbéviller, Marquis de Gerbéviller and Lorena Sancho-Mata y Contreras, she was the sister of Princess Marie de Ligne la Trémoïlle and Princess Leontine de Ligne. The then Gabrielle Marie de Lambertye-Gerbéviller married Prince Armand-Louis Hélie d’Arenberg in 1941, having two children, before the Princess had a ‘special friendship’ with Prince Paul of Yugoslavia. The couple inherited the Château de Gerbéviller from her father and it remains the Family Seat, where she was buried last year, after passing away at the age of 101.
Pearl Ruby and Diamond Brooch
Estimate: 2,000 – 3,000 EUR
From the Collection of the Princes of Arenberg
A Pearl Ruby and Diamond Brooch set with radiating button-shaped natural pearls highlighted with oval rubies and circular-cut diamonds, terminated by two baroque natural pearls.
Diamond Hair Combs
Estimate: 4,000 – 8,000 EUR
From the Collection of the Princes of Arenberg
Two Diamond Hair Combs, each designed as a double-pronged horn surmounted by hinged openwork arched motifs set with rose diamonds, from the 1910s.
Seed Pearl, Ruby and Diamond Bracelet Watch
Estimate: 2,000 – 4,000 EUR
From the Collection of the Princes of Arenberg
A Seed Pearl, Ruby and Diamond Bracelet Watch composed of an octagonal platinum case set with calibré-cut rubies, red stones and rose diamonds, the silvered dial with Arabic numerals, to a meshed seed pearl bracelet, from the 1920s.
Diamond Brooch
Estimate: 28,000 – 35,000 EUR
From the Collection of the Princes of Arenberg
A Diamond Floral Brooch from the 19th century, of flower sprig design, set with rose diamonds, with French import assay marks for silver.
Star Sapphire and Diamond Brooch
Estimate: 8,000 – 12,000 EUR
From the Collection of the Princes of Arenberg
A Star Sapphire and Diamond Brooch depicting a two-headed eagle surmounted with a crown, centered with a star sapphire cabochon, the eyes set with round red stones, highlighted with rose diamonds, the reverse decorated with engravings.
Amethyst and Diamond Pendant-Brooch
Estimate: 6,000 – 8,000 EUR
From the Collection of the Princes of Arenberg
An Amethyst and diamond Pendant-Brooch ornated with an oval amethyst within a surround of circular-cut and marquise old-cut diamonds.
Amethyst Necklace
Estimate: 2,500 – 4,500 EUR
From the Collection of the Princes of Arenberg
An Amethyst Necklace designed as a rivière of oval amethysts in open-backed settings, with French import assay marks.
Pearl, Ruby and Diamond Brooch
Estimate: 2,500 – 3,500 EUR
From the Collection of the Princes of Arenberg
A Pearl, Ruby and Diamond Brooch designed as a flower centered with a cultured pearl set with a brilliant-cut diamond, the pistils set with round rubies, the petals pavé-set with circular-cut diamonds. Princess Armand d’Arenbeg notably wore the Brooch for the Wedding of her great-nephew, Prince Edouard de Ligne de La Trémoïlle, to Isabella Orsisi in 2008.
Princess Armand used to possess a pair spectacular antique Diamond Earrings, which were sold ‘not for financial reasons, and currently belong to FD Gallery in New York.
Princess Armand d’Arenberg’s Diamond Earrings | Jewels of Princess Armand d’Arenberg
