It’s that time of year again! The major European Auction Houses are having their annual spring Royal and Noble Jewellery Sales, and we are featuring splendid Royal and Noble Jewels on Auction at the Christie’s Magnificent Jewels in Geneva tomorrow!
Christie’s Magnificent Jewels | 17 May 2023
Diamond Tiara / Necklace
Estimate: CHF 700,000 – CHF 1,000,000
Formerly the property of Mary, Duchess of Roxburghe
A Victorian Diamond Tiara / Necklace of old and rose-cut diamonds, silver and gold, with the main part detachable and wearable as a necklace or a tiara, lower part detachable and wearable as a bandeau and as a choker, circa 1890, this piece was formerly the property of Mary, Duchess of Roxburghe and was last sold in Geneva, 12 May 2015, lot 493.
Victorian Diamond Tiara / Necklace
Estimate: CHF 300,000 – CHF 600,000
A Victorian Diamond Tiara / Necklace of old-cut diamonds of various shapes, silver and gold, circa 1860.
Dame Nellie Melba’s Cartier Devant-de-Corsage
Estimate: CHF 2,500,000 – CHF 3,500,000
From Dame Nellie Melba, thence by descent through a Noble Family
Dame Nellie Melba’s Cartier Devant-de-Corsage composed of pearls, old and rose-cut diamonds, platinum, with two diamond bracelets to which the devant-de-corsage may be joined and worn as a necklace, circa 1902.
Chaumet Sapphire and Diamond Tiara / Necklace
Estimate: CHF 300,000 – CHF 600,000
A Chaumet Sapphire and Diamond Tiara / Necklace of oval and round-shaped cabochon sapphires, rectangular-shaped sugarloaf sapphire, old and rose-cut diamonds, in a tiara fitting, circa 1921.
Chaumet Bessborough Tiara
Estimate: CHF 800,000 – CHF 1,500,000
From the Countess of Bessborough, thence by descent through the Family
The Chaumet Bessborough Tiara features a marquise-shaped diamond was offered to the Earl of Bessborough, in 1931, as a gift by the De Beers diamond company when he left his position of director. The Tiara was worn by the Countess of Bessborough and has passed by descent through the family.
Antique Emerald and Diamond Necklace / Tiara
Estimate: CHF 1,000,000 – CHF 1,500,000
An Antique Emerald and Diamond Necklace / Tiara set with square, rectangular, cushion and pear-shaped emeralds, old-cut diamonds, silver and gold, with tiara frame and screwdriver, early to mid 19th century.
The Württemberg Diamond and Pearl Suite
Estimate: CHF 400,000 – CHF 600,000
Form the Württemberg Royal Family
The Württemberg Diamond and Pearl Suite, comprising a fringe necklace, a pendent brooch, two pairs of earrings including one pair with natural pearls, circa 1890, was formerly in the Collection of Mathilde of Württemberg, Princess of Urach, Countess of Württemberg (1854-1907), daughter of Théodolinde of Beauharnais, Princess of Leuchtenberg (1814-1857), and Wilhelm of Württemberg, Count of Württemberg, Prince of Urach (1810-1869), thence by descent. The Suite was sold in Geneva 15 November 2017, lots 338 – 343.
The Württemberg Sapphire Suite
Estimate: CHF 600,000 – CHF 1,000,000
Form the Württemberg Royal Family
The Württemberg Sapphire Suite, comprising a floral tiara and a brooch, together with an associated necklace, composed of sapphires of various shapes, rose and old-cut diamonds, silver and gold, tiara detachable into four separate brooches, circa 1860s, originates from Princess Marguarete of Urach (1901-1975), Countess of Württemberg, from the Royal House of Württemberg, and was sold in Geneva, 15 November 2017, lots 344 – 345.
Cartier Art Deco Natural Pearl, Coral and Diamond Necklace
Estimate: CHF 80,000 – CHF 100,000
Formerly in the Collection of the Hon. Daisy Fellowes
A Monture Cartier Art Deco Natural Pearl, Coral and Diamond Necklace, comprised of thirteen strands of graduated natural pearls, two natural pearl drops, button-shaped brown natural pearl, a coral drop, and old and rose-cut diamonds, signed Monture Cartier, maker’s mark (Cartier, Société Anonyme), formerly in the Collection of Hon. Daisy Fellowes and sold in Geneva, 17 November 2009, lot 180.
Harry Winston Diamond and Sapphire Earrings | Harry Winston Sapphire and Diamond Ring
Estimate: CHF 1,400,000 – CHF 2,000,000 | CHF 1,500,000 – CHF 1,800,000
Formerly the Property of a Royal Family
A pair of Harry Winston Diamond and Sapphire Earrings of marquise and pear-shaped diamonds with detachable pendants of later addition with oval-shaped sapphires, and a Harry Winston Sapphire and Diamond Ring, featuring a cushion-shaped sapphire of 16.65 carats, triangular-shaped diamonds, come from a Royal Family.
Diamond Rivière Necklace
Estimate: CHF 40,000 – CHF 60,000
Property of a Lady of Title
A Diamond Rivière Necklace, composed of old-cut diamonds, silver and gold, late 19th century composite, from a Lady of Title.
Chatila Emerald and Diamond Necklace
Estimate: CHF 600,000 – CHF 800,000
Property of a Royal Family
A Chatila Emerald and Diamond Necklace, featuring a pear-shaped emerald of 65.01 carats, oval-shaped emeralds, oval-shaped and round diamonds, signed Chatila.
‘The Star Of Egypt’ Diamond
Estimate: CHF 2,000,000 – CHF 3,000,000
Formerly belonging to the Khedive of Egypt and later King Farouk of Egypt
‘The Star Of Egypt’ Diamond, a cut-cornered rectangular step cut diamond of 105.52 carats, was discovered in Brazil around 1850, and said to be bought by the Khedive of Egypt, who sold it in 1880 when he went into exile. The Diamond was bought by King Farouk of Egypt in London in 1946, set into a mount for a Fez. The Diamond disappeared after the King’s Abdication in 1952 (h/t to jewelryathenaeum).