A natural pearl hammered world record!
A
record for any sale of royal jewels at Sotheby’s,
Eclipsing
the long-held benchmark of $50.3m established
Geneva,
one of the most important historic collections of royal jewels made auction
history. One hundred treasures from the collection of the Bourbon Parma family
together realised CHF 53.5m ($53.1m), more than seven times the pre-sale high
estimate of CHF 7m ($7m) and a record for any sale of royal jewels, eclipsing
the long-held benchmark of $50.3m established by the sale of jewels of the
Duchess of Windsor established in 1987.
Every
jewel offered tonight found a buyer, with many selling for high multiples of
pre-sale expectations.
Following
exhibitions of the jewels around the world, international collectors and
history-lovers demonstrated the full force of their fascination with the
historic treasures.
Participants
from 43 countries took part in the sale, and bidding this evening was
resolutely modern, with 55% of registrants participating online. A testament to
the universal appeal of the jewels, a quarter of participants was new to
Sotheby’s. Bidders entered the competition with an eager disregard for pre-sale
expectations, driving 90% of prices in the sale beyond the high estimates.
David
Bennett, Worldwide Chairman of Sotheby’s International Jewellery Division,
said: “More than thirty years ago, I was part of the specialist team entrusted
with the landmark sale of the jewels of the Duchess of Windsor – a sale that
has held a legendary status ever since. Tonight a new benchmark was established
in the sale of Royal and Noble jewels, a field in which Sotheby’s has been the
pioneer for many years.”
Daniela
Mascetti, Sotheby’s Jewellery Chairman, Europe, added: “Tonight we saw the
Marie Antoinette factor work its magic. No other queen is more famous for her
love of jewels, and her personal treasures, pearls and diamonds that survived
intact the tumults of history, captivated the interest of collectors around the
world.”
The
star lot of the auction, a natural pearl and diamond pendant from Marie
Antoinette’s personal collection, soared to CHF 36,427,000 ($36,165,090),
leaving its estimate of CHF 1-2m / $1-2m far behind, and establishing a new
auction record for a natural pearl.
The
pendant was among 10 exquisite pieces which once belonged to Queen Marie
Antoinette, all of which attracted fierce bidding. Together they realised a
total of CHF 43.1m / $42.7m against a pre-sale estimate of CHF 1.6 – 2.9
million / $ 1.6 – 2.9 million.
These
jewels had an extraordinary story. Before being taken into captivity, Marie
Antoinette carefully wrapped her pearls, diamonds and rubies in cotton, placed
them in a wooden chest and sent them to Brussels. From there, they were taken
to Vienna, into the safe keeping of the Austrian Emperor, her nephew. Restored
to Marie Antoinette’s daughter, Madame Royale, following her release in 1795,
the jewels were then passed on to the Bourbon Parma family with who they
remained for the next 200 years.
Comments
Post a Comment