A mysterious 18th-century diamond necklace linked to former French Queen Marie Antoinette will be auctioned in November, fine art company Sotheby's announced on Monday. The necklace comprises approximately 500 diamonds and is estimated to fetch between $1.8 and $2.8 million.
The auction will take place on November 11 in Geneva, with online bidding starting on October 25. It will be featured in the " Royal & Noble Jewels " sale.
The necklace, which has been privately owned in Asia, will be publicly displayed for the first time in 50 years. It is currently on display in London and will later be shown in Hong Kong, New York, and Taiwan.
Andres White Correal, chairman of Sotheby's jewelry department, commented on the necklace’s rarity: "It's a wonderful find because, normally, jewelry from the 18th century was broken up in order to be repurposed. So to have an intact piece from the Georgian period of this importance, with this amount of carats... is absolutely fabulous."
The necklace, composed of three rows of diamonds with diamond tassels at each end, was once owned by the Marquesses of Anglesey , an Anglo-Welsh aristocratic family. It was reportedly worn at the coronations of King George VI in 1937 and Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
Reports suggest that some of the diamonds may have been part of the infamous " Affair of the Necklace ," a scandal that damaged French Queen Marie Antoinette's reputation and contributed to the French Revolution.
According to Sotheby's, the diamonds likely originated from the Golconda mines in India, known for their quality and brilliance. The necklace was likely commissioned for royalty, according to AFP.
The auction will take place on November 11 in Geneva, with online bidding starting on October 25. It will be featured in the " Royal & Noble Jewels " sale.
The necklace, which has been privately owned in Asia, will be publicly displayed for the first time in 50 years. It is currently on display in London and will later be shown in Hong Kong, New York, and Taiwan.
Andres White Correal, chairman of Sotheby's jewelry department, commented on the necklace’s rarity: "It's a wonderful find because, normally, jewelry from the 18th century was broken up in order to be repurposed. So to have an intact piece from the Georgian period of this importance, with this amount of carats... is absolutely fabulous."
A rare diamond necklace with possible links to former French queen consort Marie Antoinette will be auctioned in November with a price estimate of up to $2.8 million. Read more: https://t.co/ddkuj4KYli pic.twitter.com/DRFW156I2p
— Reuters Asia (@ReutersAsia) September 24, 2024
The necklace, composed of three rows of diamonds with diamond tassels at each end, was once owned by the Marquesses of Anglesey , an Anglo-Welsh aristocratic family. It was reportedly worn at the coronations of King George VI in 1937 and Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
Reports suggest that some of the diamonds may have been part of the infamous " Affair of the Necklace ," a scandal that damaged French Queen Marie Antoinette's reputation and contributed to the French Revolution.
According to Sotheby's, the diamonds likely originated from the Golconda mines in India, known for their quality and brilliance. The necklace was likely commissioned for royalty, according to AFP.
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