Romanov Sapphire
The Romanov Sapphire, a magnificent unheated 197.80-carat Ceylon sapphire once mounted by Fabergé and worn by Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna, will lead Sotheby’s Royal and Noble sale in Geneva on November 11. Documented among the Russian Crown Jewels and immortalised at the legendary Winter Palace Ball of 1903, the gemstone traces an extraordinary journey from the splendour of the Imperial Court, through the Soviet dramatic dispersal sales, to the collection of celebrated socialite and collector Ganna Walska before ultimately entering the hands of Cartier. Relatively few gemstones documented as belonging to the Russian Crown Jewels remain identifiable today.
The Winter Palace Ball of 1903 is widely regarded as the last great spectacle of Imperial Russia and immortalised in some of the most iconic images of the Romanov court. Following the Russian Revolution, the sapphire was recorded in the landmark Fersman inventory before entering the Soviet government’s dispersal sales of Imperial treasures. It subsequently passed into the renowned collection of opera singer, socialite and collector Ganna Walska before being acquired by Cartier, which created its present transformable bracelet mounting in 2015.
Further highlights include a spectacular Cartier London black opal and diamond necklace-brooch combination and tiara, created for the Duchess of Devonshire and centred on an exceptional suite of Australian black opals. Presented together as a remarkable royal grouping are two emerald jewels from Queen Amélie of Portugal, the last Queen Consort of Portugal. The sale also features an elegant diamond tiara by Mellerio dits Meller, first exhibited at the International Exhibition of 1862 before being acquired by the House of Orléans as a royal wedding gift for Marie Isabelle d’Orléans upon her marriage to Philippe d’Orléans, Count of Paris