UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR US$4.8 MILLION
THIS rare and highly important 18th century diamond jewel weighing approximately 300 carats will highlight Sotheby’s Royal and Noble sale in Geneva on November 11. Though its precise origin story is not recorded, such an important and historic antique jewel could only have been created for royalty or a high-ranking aristocrat at one of the glittering courts of the ancient régime – most the French or English court. It is thought that some of the diamonds featured in this jewel may have come from the famous necklace linked to what became the scandal of the “Affair of the Necklace” which contributed to the advent of the French revolution and eventually Marie-Antoinette’s death. It has emerged from a private Asian collection and is making a first public appearance in 50 years. It belonged to the Marquesses of Anglesey, a leading Anglo-Welsh aristocratic family with close ties to the British Royal family in the early 20th century. In 1937, Marjorie Paget, Marchioness of Anglesey (eldest daughter of Henry Manners, 8th Duke of Rutland), wore the jewel to the coronation of King George VI, together with the famous Anglesey tiara. She was immortalised wearing her coronation robes and diamond jewel by the renowned society photographer Cecil Beaton. In 1953, her daughter-in-law attended the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II wearing the same ensemble of heirloom jewels. The seventh Marquess of Anglesey parted with the piece around the 1960s.
The late 18th century jewel is a technically stunning piece of jewellery composed of three rows of diamonds finished with a diamond tassel at each end. Jewels of this era were characterised by their opulence and versatility of use: one piece could be worn as a necklace or sewn onto a piece of clothing as an ornament. In this case the jewel – also referred to as “négligé” – can be worn around the neck with the tassels hanging or tied in a simple knot. All diamonds are in an old mine brilliant cut, weighing between one and one and half carats each. The estimate is 1,600,000 – 2,400,000 CHF / $1,800,000 – 2,800,000.
