Auctions

Marie Antoinette Diamonds Expected to Fetch $2M-$4M at Auction

AuctionsSep 09, 2021

Marie Antoinette Diamonds Expected to Fetch $2M-$4M at Auction

The French queen’s diamond bracelets retain their original design.

20210909_MarieAntoinetteDiamonds-Christies.jpg
The Marie Antoinette Diamonds boast a provenance as impressive as their timeless style. Christie’s Geneva expects the diamond bracelets to fetch between $2 million and $4 million at its upcoming Magnificent Jewels sale.
Geneva—This fall, one collector will have the chance to own pieces that once belonged to a very important jewelry lover. 
 
“The Marie Antoinette Diamonds” are the first lot in the Magnificent Jewels sale happening at Christie’s Geneva on Nov. 9 at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues. 
 
Comprising 112 diamonds still in their original designs in a pair of bracelets, the lot is expected to earn between $2 million and $4 million. 
 
The bracelets’ provenance is a lesson in French history. 
 
Born an Austrian archduchess to Empress Maria Theresa and Emperor Francis I, Marie Antoinette (1755-1793) became France’s final queen before the country’s revolution when she married Louis XVI. 
 
The young couple had been married for six years and ruled as king and queen for two when Marie Antoinette acquired the diamond bracelets in 1776.
 
Already famed for her style by then, Marie Antoinette was an ardent jewelry lover and purchased the bracelets for 250,000 livres, a staggering sum at the time. 
 
 Related stories will be right here … 
 
Per the Austrian ambassador to France, Count Mercy-Argenteau, Marie Antoinette paid for the diamonds partially with gemstones from her collection, as well as with funds she received from King Louis. 
 
Christie’s said jewelry historian Vincent Meylan recently confirmed the latter fact with this entry in King Louis’s personal papers dated Feb. 1777: “‘to the Queen: down payment of 29,000 livres for the diamond bracelets she bought from Boehmer” (likely referring to French jewelers Charles-August Boehmer and Paul Bassenge, who frequently worked with French royalty).
 
Count Mercy-Argenteau relocated to Brussels in 1790 upon leaving his ambassador role.
 
He received a letter from Marie Antoinette on Jan. 11, 1791, when she was already a prisoner in the Tuileries in Paris, stating she was sending him a wooden chest for safekeeping. 
 
Marie Antoinette was executed by guillotine on Oct. 16, 1793. In February 1794, the Emperor Francis II of Austria ordered that the chest be opened and inventoried. 
 
One item on the inventory read: “Item No. 6 – A pair of bracelets where three diamonds, with the biggest set in the middle, form two barrettes; the two barrettes serve as clasps, each comprising four diamonds and 96 collet-set diamonds.”
 
The bracelets were given to Marie Antoinette’s surviving daughter, Madame Royale (1778-1851), when she arrived in Austria in January 1796.
 
Madame Royale wears the bracelets in the below portrait by Antoine-Jean Gros, painted in 1816.

20210909_MarieAntoinetteDiamonds-Christies-2.jpg
 
She had no children and left her entire jewelry collection to her three nieces and nephew upon her death in 1851: Count of Chambord (1820-1883), Countess of Chambord (1817-1886), and Duchess of Parma (1819-1864).
 
Christie’s asserts that though it’s possible the diamond bracelets have been remounted at some time, the design and number of diamonds, except for the stones on the clasp, are just as they were when Marie Antoinette acquired them. 
 
François Curiel, Chairman Christie’s Luxury, commented, “Over the past 255 years, Christie’s have offered many historic jewels from royal houses around the world. 
 
“It is a privilege to be able to offer these exceptional and unique bracelets for sale at Christie’s, where they will attract bidding from collectors globally. As seen in recent Geneva sales, the market for jewels of noble provenance continues to perform extremely well.”
 
Prior to the Nov. 9 sale, the Marie Antoinette Diamonds will be on view in New York (Sept. 27-29), Hong Kong (Oct. 7-10), Shanghai and Beijing in the second half of October, and Geneva from Nov. 4. 

The Latest

Fabergé Beetlejuice Beetlejuice jewelry collection
CollectionsSep 06, 2024
The ‘Fabergé x Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ Collection is Scary Chic

It’s showtime for these jewels, inspired by the motifs and color palette of the new Tim Burton film.

Movado Connect 2.0 watches
FinancialsSep 06, 2024
Movado Lowers Guidance as Q2 Sales Slip

CEO Efraim Grinberg pointed to a challenging consumer spending environment, particularly in the watch category.

Lizzie Mandler’s Liquid Gold Hoops
CollectionsSep 06, 2024
Piece of the Week: Lizzie Mandler’s ‘Liquid Gold’ Hoops

Inspired by a 19th century sculpture, Mandler transformed gold into liquid for these earrings.

How to Increase Instagram Followers Naturally in 2024 2.0 (1).jpg
Brought to you by
How to Increase Instagram Followers Naturally in 2024

Growing your Instagram following organically is more important than ever in today's technological environment.

Bella Hadid in Chopard Campaigns
CollectionsSep 05, 2024
Bella Hadid Is Chopard’s New Brand Ambassador

The model and entrepreneur stars in two new Chopard campaigns.

Weekly QuizSep 05, 2024
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Nordstrom men’s store New York City
MajorsSep 05, 2024
Nordstrom Family Offers to Buy Namesake Retailer for $3.8B

Members of the founding family partnered with Mexican retail company El Puerto de Liverpool to possibly take Nordstrom private.

Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Bone cuff
MajorsSep 05, 2024
Tiffany & Co. Celebrates Elsa Peretti’s Bone Cuff

The iconic design has joined a lineup of notable pieces featured in the jeweler’s “With Love, Since 1837” campaign.

Supplier Spotlight -Recorded-Webinar.png
Brought to you by
Watch: Natural Diamonds: A Great (but Often Untold) Geology Story

Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA.

New Cadar CEO Ralph Simons
MajorsSep 05, 2024
Former Chopard, Frederique Constant Executive Tapped to Head Cadar

Ralph Simons is now CEO of the jewelry brand started by fashion designer Michal Kadar and her husband, Avraham Kadar, in 2015.

National Jeweler columnists Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams
ColumnistsSep 04, 2024
Creative Connecting: Why ‘Experience Content’ Matters

Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen say it’s all about giving your social media feeds a human touch.

 Models Taylor Hill and Soo Joo Park wearing Messika jewelry
TrendsSep 04, 2024
Taylor Hill, Soo Joo Park Star in New Messika Campaign

The models and friends of founder and artistic designer Valérie Messika showcase the brand’s jewelry in the “Back to Icons” campaign.

Bloomingdale’s From Italy, With Love campaign
MajorsSep 04, 2024
Bloomingdale’s to Highlight Italian Jewelry in New Campaign

“From Italy, With Love” will showcase Roberto Coin, Marco Bicego, and other Italian brands.

Zales tennis necklace over Prince tennis racket
CollectionsSep 03, 2024
Zales, Prince Debut US Open-Inspired Collection

The jewelry retailer will also have a diamond-set tennis racket on display at the tournament.

Ylang 23 Flagship
IndependentsSep 03, 2024
Ylang 23 Relocates, Expands Dallas Flagship

The retailer has moved into a 3,200-square-foot space at The Shops of Highland Park.

Suzanne Kalan
TrendsSep 03, 2024
Amanda’s Style File: Sapphires for September

The month’s birthstone is vibrant in every color.

Breitling watches
WatchesAug 30, 2024
Breitling Marks 140 Years With Special Editions of 3 Classic Watches

The special editions of the Premier, Navitimer, and Chronomat are equipped with a new perpetual calendar movement from the brand.

K. Brunini Jewel’s Butterfly Ring
CollectionsAug 30, 2024
Piece of the Week: K. Brunini Jewels’ Butterfly Ring

Fly away with designer Katey Brunini’s butterfly ring, as its spring-loaded wings flutter above your fingers.

Brilliant Earth showroom Roosevelt Field mall
MajorsAug 29, 2024
Brilliant Earth Promotes Two Executives to C-Suite Roles

The jewelry retailer has a new chief brand officer and chief operations officer.

JA Multifaceted Learning Workshop
MajorsAug 29, 2024
JA Takes Its Learning Workshops to Washington D.C., New York

Its next event will take place in D.C. on Sept. 17 and in New York City on Oct. 29.

Broken Bangle jade nomenclature book Lotus Gemology
SourcingAug 29, 2024
Lotus Gemology Publishes Book on Jade History

“Broken Bangle: The Blunder-Besmirched History of Jade Nomenclature” is an in-depth look at the evolution of jade terminology.

Titan Company Ltd. executive Ajoy Chawla and De Beers Group executive Sandrine Conseiller
SourcingAug 29, 2024
De Beers Looks to India to Boost Demand for Natural Diamonds

It is partnering with retailer Tanishq on educating salespeople, shaping the in-store experience, and a “360-degree” marketing campaign.

Woman shopping
SurveysAug 28, 2024
Consumer Confidence Rises in August Despite Labor Market Worries

Inflation remained a top concern among survey-takers who included write-in responses.

A person wearing the Ultrahuman Ring Air smart ring while holding a cell phone
TechnologyAug 28, 2024
Verizon Throws Its Hat in the Ring on Smart Rings

The wireless carrier is now stocking the Ultrahuman Ring Air in select U.S. stores.

Rings and a necklace from Pamela Love Jardin collection
CollectionsAug 28, 2024
Pamela Love’s ‘Jardin’ Collection Is Filled With Lush Green Emeralds

In a collaboration with Muzo, Pamela Love hand-selected each Colombian emerald for eight one-of-a-kind pieces.

Stuller headquarters
MajorsAug 28, 2024
Stuller Named ‘Great Place to Work’

The certification is based on employee responses about their experience working at a company.

Stock image of loose polished diamonds
Policies & IssuesAug 27, 2024
US to Allow Import of ‘Legacy’ Diamonds From Russia

OFAC has issued two licenses addressing the issue, one for diamond-set jewelry and one for loose diamonds.

Man at International Gemological Institute microscope
GradingAug 27, 2024
IGI Files for IPO in India

The gemological lab is looking to raise up to $477 million.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy