The Royal and Noble Jewels sales at Sotheby’s in Geneva occurred on 13 November. The headline attraction was a diamond necklace, making its first public appearance in five decades.
The Anglesey Jewel was once owned by Marjorie Paget, the marchioness of Anglesey and the oldest daughter of Henry Manners, the eighth duke of Rutland. It appeared at the coronations of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II.
After seven minutes of bidding, the necklace returned $USD4.8 million ($AUD7.41 million), nearly doubling its presale estimate. Andres White Correal, head of the Noble Jewels sale, said the necklace commands attention.
“From the moment we laid eyes on it, our entire team was transfixed by its beauty, its history, and its timelessness,” he said.
“Traveling with it around the world, the awe it inspired was universal. The electricity in the salesroom was palpable, and it will be one of my fondest memories to have been on the phone, helping to find its new home.”
The Royal and Noble Jewels auction was paired with the Magnificent Jewels sale, generating $USD30.7 million ($AUD47.42 million). More than 85 per cent of items were sold, with bids from more than 300 buyers.
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