Phillips Geneva Jewels Auction | 11 May 2026

To mark more than two centuries of extraordinary sales, relationships, discoveries, and heritage, this May, as part of our ‘Geneva Jewels Auction: VI’, we are delighted to announce the launch of a new section dedicated to jewels of important provenance. ‘Collections and Provenance’ builds upon our longstanding tradition of offering remarkable collections, today encompassing sales of exceptional jewellery from Noble European families as well as from the collections of Gladys Moore Vanderbilt, Countess Széchenyi, Princess Salimah Aga Khan, the Kings of Bavaria and King Louis-Philippe of France. This new section embraces the spirit of tradition and curiosity that defines Phillips and looks ahead to presenting further jewels of distinguished provenance in the seasons to come.

Diamond, Enamel And Gem-Set Brooch

Estimate: CHF 4,000–6,000

With the monogram of King Ludwig II of Bavaria

Enamel, Diamond And Seed Pearl Necklace

Estimate: CHF 2,400–4,000

Given by Queen Elisabeth Ludovika of Prussia (1801–1873), wife of King Frederick William IV, to Queen Marie of Bavaria on the occasion of the birth of her son, Ludwig II, in 1845 at Nymphenburg Palace.

Enamel, Diamond And Gold Pocket Watch

Estimate: CHF 32,000–48,000

By family tradition, this watch was presented by Ludwig II of Bavaria to Richard Wagner on 6 August 1876, on the occasion of the premiere of The Ring of the Nibelung in Bayreuth.

Gold and Diamond Snuff Box

Estimate: CHF 40,000–45,000

By family tradition, this box was presented by King Ludwig II of Bavaria to Richard Wagner.

On November 28, 1877, Cosima Wagner wrote in her diary:

“The box delights R. He shows it to the children, plays with it at the table and enjoys the sparkling stones. Then he says to me: ‘Thus one day we will shine in heaven with our children like the stone flowers on the box.’”

On November 29 she added:

“R. continues to delight in the box, which he calls Klingsor.”

Gold and Enamel Snuff Box

Estimate: CHF 16,000–20,000

With the monogram of King Ludwig I of Bavaria

Gold and Enamel Snuff Box

Estimate: CHF20,000–24,000

With the monogram of King Ludwig I of Bavaria

Gold, Gem-Set And Enamel Purse

Estimate: CHF 24,000–30,000

Depicting King Louis I of Bavaria

This purse was given by Ludwig I of Bavaria to Emily Lady Mansfield, whose portrait is included in the celebrated Gallery of Beauties at Nymphenburg Palace.

Diamond Brooch

Estimate: CHF 20,000–30,000

Property of an Important Private Collection

Given to the Archduchess Marie Anne of Austria, Princess Elie of Bourbon-Parme (1882-1940), by her brother, Archduke Albert of Austria (1897-1955), on the occasion of her 17th birthday.

“Un écrin rouge écarlate (Schwarz und Steiner) petit noeud en diamants. Cadeau de mon frère pour mes 17 ans (Noeud pour l’ordre de la croix étoilée).”[“A scarlet red case (Schwarz und Steiner) small diamond bow. Gifted by my brother for my seventeen birthday (Bow for the Order of the Starry Cross).”]

Excerpt from the inventory of Archduchess Marie Anne of Austria, Princess Elie de Bourbon Parme

Royal Jewels from the Bourbon Parma Family, Sotheby’s Geneva, 14 November 2018, lot 60.