This sale highlights the enduring allure and historical significance of royal artifacts.
**Historic Diamond Necklace Linked to Marie Antoinette Fetches $4.8 Million at Auction**
**Historic Diamond Necklace Linked to Marie Antoinette Fetches $4.8 Million at Auction**
A stunning Georgian diamond necklace tied to the infamous scandal surrounding Marie Antoinette has sold for a remarkable price.
In a riveting auction held in Geneva, a dazzling diamond necklace believed to be linked to Marie Antoinette has been sold for a staggering $4.81 million (£3.8 million). The Georgian piece, adorned with roughly 500 diamonds, was purchased at nearly twice the expected valuation by Sotheby’s auction house. Andres White Correal, a jewelry expert at Sotheby’s, described the auction night as “electric,” confirming that the unnamed female buyer was “ecstatic” about the acquisition.
The much-coveted jewels were auctioned off on a Wednesday evening, with excitement in the air as Marie Antoinette's bracelets had recently sold for a whopping $8 million. Correal recounted a touching moment with the buyer, who said, "I'm exceptionally happy that I won this lot; but I don't own it, I'm merely the custodian until the next person will come along." The statement underscores the sentiment that historical jewels carry immense significance beyond their market value; they inherit stories and origins that captivate buyers.
Marie Antoinette, born in Austria in 1755, became the last queen of France, marrying the future King Louis XVI. Her reign ended tragically during the French Revolution when she was guillotined in 1793 at the age of 37. The necklace's history is entwined with the infamous "affair of the diamond necklace" scandal of the 1780s, which many believe contributed to her downfall. In this scandal, a noblewoman named Jeanne de la Motte impersonated the queen and duped a cardinal into acquiring the necklace without payment. Despite Marie Antoinette’s innocence in the matter, her reputation suffered considerably, leading to widespread disdain among the French populace.
The original necklace, which boasted 650 diamonds and weighed around 2,800 carats, had been dismantled, with some of its jewels sold individually on the black market. A jeweler from London’s Bond Street reportedly purchased a majority of these pieces shortly after their disappearance. Experts have noted that the characteristics of the diamonds in the necklace sold this week closely align with those of the original gems in the infamous piece. Historically, this necklace was worn by the Marquess of Anglesey during significant British coronations, including that of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, before remaining within the Anglesey family collection for nearly a century.
As the legacy of Marie Antoinette continues to enchant collectors, this auction serves as a poignant reminder of the past and the unending appeal of royal histories.
The much-coveted jewels were auctioned off on a Wednesday evening, with excitement in the air as Marie Antoinette's bracelets had recently sold for a whopping $8 million. Correal recounted a touching moment with the buyer, who said, "I'm exceptionally happy that I won this lot; but I don't own it, I'm merely the custodian until the next person will come along." The statement underscores the sentiment that historical jewels carry immense significance beyond their market value; they inherit stories and origins that captivate buyers.
Marie Antoinette, born in Austria in 1755, became the last queen of France, marrying the future King Louis XVI. Her reign ended tragically during the French Revolution when she was guillotined in 1793 at the age of 37. The necklace's history is entwined with the infamous "affair of the diamond necklace" scandal of the 1780s, which many believe contributed to her downfall. In this scandal, a noblewoman named Jeanne de la Motte impersonated the queen and duped a cardinal into acquiring the necklace without payment. Despite Marie Antoinette’s innocence in the matter, her reputation suffered considerably, leading to widespread disdain among the French populace.
The original necklace, which boasted 650 diamonds and weighed around 2,800 carats, had been dismantled, with some of its jewels sold individually on the black market. A jeweler from London’s Bond Street reportedly purchased a majority of these pieces shortly after their disappearance. Experts have noted that the characteristics of the diamonds in the necklace sold this week closely align with those of the original gems in the infamous piece. Historically, this necklace was worn by the Marquess of Anglesey during significant British coronations, including that of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, before remaining within the Anglesey family collection for nearly a century.
As the legacy of Marie Antoinette continues to enchant collectors, this auction serves as a poignant reminder of the past and the unending appeal of royal histories.
