19-11-2018
All 100 jewellery once owned by the Bourbon Parma family garnered Sotheby’s US$53.1 million, over seven times higher than its original estimation at its Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels auction in Geneva. A natural pearl pendant (photo 1) once belonged to the French queen Marie Antoinette was under the spotlight, sold for US$36.2 million, more than 15 times its original estimated and set a world record for a natural pearl. The hammered item also included a three-strand pearl necklace (photo 2) which realised US$2.3 million.
Participants from 43 countries took part in the sale, with 55 percent of registrants participated online. “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,” commented Daniela Mascetti, Sotheby’s jewelry chairman for Europe.
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