The diamond necklace, once thought to be tied to the notorious "affair of the diamond necklace" scandal involving the tragic figure of Marie Antoinette, has sold at an auction in Geneva for an impressive $4.81 million (£3.8 million). This exquisite piece, which showcases approximately 500 diamonds, was purchased for nearly double the estimated price set by Sotheby’s auction house. Jewelry expert Andres White Correal described the auction as “an electric night," revealing that the anonymous female buyer expressed immense joy over her acquisition, saying she felt like a “custodian” of the historical artifact until it would be passed to the next owner.
Marie Antoinette, the last queen of France, who was executed in 1793, had her reputation significantly tarnished due to this scandal involving a fraudulent transaction by Jeanne de la Motte, a desperate noblewoman who impersonated the queen and misled a cardinal into giving her the necklace. Though Marie Antoinette bore no guilt in the sordid affair, the negative public perception of her as a lavish spender persisted.
The original diamond necklace at the heart of the scandal was lavishly adorned with 650 diamonds and weighed around 2,800 carats, pieces of which were sold off on the black market following the incident. Experts believe that elements of the necklace sold this week may be linked to those original jewels. The necklace had an illustrious history, having been worn by the Marquess of Anglesey at two significant coronations: Queen Elizabeth II's in 1953 and King George VI's in 1937. After being part of the Anglesey family collection for roughly a century, the necklace eventually changed hands to a private collector in Asia in the 1960s.
With renewed interest in historical jewels characterizing today’s collectors, this auction result highlights the deep appreciation for both the beauty and rich history surrounding such artifacts.
Marie Antoinette, the last queen of France, who was executed in 1793, had her reputation significantly tarnished due to this scandal involving a fraudulent transaction by Jeanne de la Motte, a desperate noblewoman who impersonated the queen and misled a cardinal into giving her the necklace. Though Marie Antoinette bore no guilt in the sordid affair, the negative public perception of her as a lavish spender persisted.
The original diamond necklace at the heart of the scandal was lavishly adorned with 650 diamonds and weighed around 2,800 carats, pieces of which were sold off on the black market following the incident. Experts believe that elements of the necklace sold this week may be linked to those original jewels. The necklace had an illustrious history, having been worn by the Marquess of Anglesey at two significant coronations: Queen Elizabeth II's in 1953 and King George VI's in 1937. After being part of the Anglesey family collection for roughly a century, the necklace eventually changed hands to a private collector in Asia in the 1960s.
With renewed interest in historical jewels characterizing today’s collectors, this auction result highlights the deep appreciation for both the beauty and rich history surrounding such artifacts.
