Sun-Drop Diamond - Sotheby's Geneva
In addition to the spectacular Sun-Drop Diamond, Sotheby’s Geneva will present - in its sale of Magnificent Jewels on Tuesday, 15 November 2011 - a superb and unique suite of imperial jewels - probably the most important set of antique coloured diamond jewels to appear at auction in the last 50 years.
Comprising a necklace, a brooch and a pair of earrings, this magnificent diamond ‘parure’ contains jewels believed to have formed part of a gift presented by Empress Catherine I, wife of Peter the Great of Russia to Ottoman Sultan Ahmed III (1673-1736) to negotiate peace after the Pruth River Battles. The jewels from the Russian Empress are believed to have then passed into the Ottoman Treasures.
Coming from a European private collection, these magnificent jewels have not appeared on the open market since 1963 and are offered for sale with an estimate in the region of $10 million.
Commenting on the forthcoming sale of this magnificent and unique diamond parure, David Bennett, Chairman of Sotheby’s Jewellery Department in Europe and the Middle East and Co-Chairman of Sotheby’s Switzerland said:
“It is difficult to overestimate the rarity of such jewels. This parure is one of the most sumptuous suites of antique jewels I have ever seen and its appearance on the market after nearly 50 years in a private collection is a major event.”
Everyone in the world of jewels, antiques and auctions will be watching this amazing sale on Tuesday - and wondering who will bid for the Russian royal jewels and the Sun-drop diamond. A prince? An oligarch? A Hollywood superstar? Let’s wait and see.
Comprising a necklace, a brooch and a pair of earrings, this magnificent diamond ‘parure’ contains jewels believed to have formed part of a gift presented by Empress Catherine I, wife of Peter the Great of Russia to Ottoman Sultan Ahmed III (1673-1736) to negotiate peace after the Pruth River Battles. The jewels from the Russian Empress are believed to have then passed into the Ottoman Treasures.Coming from a European private collection, these magnificent jewels have not appeared on the open market since 1963 and are offered for sale with an estimate in the region of $10 million.
Commenting on the forthcoming sale of this magnificent and unique diamond parure, David Bennett, Chairman of Sotheby’s Jewellery Department in Europe and the Middle East and Co-Chairman of Sotheby’s Switzerland said:
“It is difficult to overestimate the rarity of such jewels. This parure is one of the most sumptuous suites of antique jewels I have ever seen and its appearance on the market after nearly 50 years in a private collection is a major event.”
Everyone in the world of jewels, antiques and auctions will be watching this amazing sale on Tuesday - and wondering who will bid for the Russian royal jewels and the Sun-drop diamond. A prince? An oligarch? A Hollywood superstar? Let’s wait and see.
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