London’s oldest auction house, Sotheby’s, is heading to Geneva for its bi-annual luxury week. Showcasing a selection of the most 'unique and exceptional' pieces from its luxury division, Sotheby’s is set to present its first dedicated sale of Royal and Noble Jewels on 13th November.
This auction follows the firm's highly successful single-owner sale, ‘Vienna 1900: An Imperial and Royal Collection’, and will feature some of the rarest jewels from the 19th and 20th centuries. Available exclusively at the Geneva auction, prices are estimated to range from 5,500 CHF to 2.2 million CHF.
Sotheby’s, with over 280 years of auction history, has witnessed record-breaking sales, including two precious gemstones fetching $38.4 million during the Magnificent Jewels sale at its 2023 luxury week in New York City.
The Royal and Noble Jewels on offer boast royal and aristocratic provenance, with the first sale featuring Tsar Ferdinand of Bulgaria’s collection of over 100 pieces. This treasury of single-owner jewels, unseen publicly for almost a century, will be brought to auction by Sotheby’s for the first time.
The 114 lots on offer are a testament to what Sotheby’s describes as "Tsar Ferdinand’s exquisite taste," with pieces passed down through generations of the Royal Bulgarian family. The collection includes coloured diamond tie pins, gemstone bracelets, and a diamond bandeau created for the Princess Consort of Bulgaria.
Phillip Württemburg Art Advisory GmbH, a vendor Sotheby’s worked with to bring the collection to auction, describes the set of jewels as an "intimate ensemble." They also confirmed the pieces have never left the family, offering historical jewellery enthusiasts and collectors a rare opportunity to become the second owners of these royal treasures.
This event will mark a historic moment for Sotheby’s, with previously inaccessible pieces now available to the public ahead of the auction on 13th November.
Leading the sale is an 18th-century 300-carat diamond necklace, estimated to sell for up to 2,200,000 CHF. Sotheby’s describes this masterpiece as a “rare, historic, and highly important jewel.” The necklace was displayed in London’s Ageless Diamond Loan exhibition in 1959, alongside diamonds belonging to Queen Elizabeth II, and later featured in the American Museum of Natural History due to its royal heritage.
This Georgian necklace, formerly in the collection of the Marquesses of Anglesey, is said to have ties to Queen Marie Antoinette of France. Its circular-cut diamonds and cushion-shaped tassels make it stand apart, reflected in its exclusive price tag.
Sotheby’s Royal and Noble Jewel auction will also feature other illustrious pieces, including an emerald and diamond-cut ring circa 1890 and a stunning Fabergé diamond brooch with Russian provenance. A full list of the jewels and their heritage can be viewed online.
For those seeking a closer look, highlights from the collection will be on tour from 18th October, stopping in luxurious cities such as New York and Dubai before reaching Geneva ahead of the auction.
During the two sales sessions at the Luxury Mandarin Oriental hotel in Geneva, hopeful bidders will experience an event like no other. Prospective buyers can bid in advance, via telephone, online, or in person, for a chance to own a piece of this extraordinary collection.
Future owners will not only hold a piece of history but will also continue its legacy, creating a new chapter for these royal treasures. Whether you're attending the exhibition or aiming to own a part of this impeccable collection, this is an event not to be missed.
Browse the Royal and Noble Jewels Highlights at https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2024/royal-noble-jewels
All image credits go to Sothebys.
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