Auctions

‘Exceptional’ Collection of Royal Jewels Coming to Auction This Fall

AuctionsSep 13, 2023

‘Exceptional’ Collection of Royal Jewels Coming to Auction This Fall

The single-owner collection features jewels with ties to Austria’s Habsburg dynasty.

Sotheby’s Geneva Vienna 1900: An Imperial and Royal Collection diamond and pearl corsage ornament
Archduchess Marie Therese of Austria-Teschen (1845-1927) received this natural pearl and diamond corsage ornament as a wedding gift in 1865. It’s one of more than 200 jewels with imperial provenance related to the Viennese royal court that Sotheby’s Geneva will offer in two dedicated sales this fall.
Geneva—A private collection of jewelry from royal houses linked to Austria’s Habsburg dynasty not seen for nearly a century is coming to auction. 
 
Sotheby’s Geneva will offer “Vienna 1900: An Imperial and Royal Collection” in two dedicated auctions on Nov. 6 and 7, preceding its Nov. 8 “Magnificent Jewels” sale.  
 
The collection is comprised of more than 200 jewels that were recently rediscovered tucked away in a bank vault.  
 
Sotheby’s said the assortment represents the most impressive representation of Viennese royal jewelry ever offered at auction. 
 
“This collection is arguably the most important ‘Noble Jewels’ auction since the landmark sale of the ‘Royal Jewels from the Bourbon-Parma Family’ held by Sotheby’s in Geneva four years ago,” remarked Sotheby’s Deputy Chairman and Jewelry Senior Director Andres White Correal. 
 
“The collection is truly exceptional, boasting a unique combination of magnificent ceremonial court jewels worn by the women of Europe’s elite and royal families, as well as important assemblage of men’s dress accessories, watches, cigarette cases and objets de vertu.” 
 
After the French Revolution, royal families from all over Europe flocked to Vienna’s thriving royal and imperial court, which therefore experienced arguably its most glamorous era during the 19th and early 20th centuries.  
 
The Sotheby’s collection illustrates this era and the jewelry trends and styles embodied by the Houses of Habsburg, Bourbon-Parma, Bourbon-Two Sicilies, and Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. 
 
 Related stories will be right here … 
 
Among the more than 200 pieces being offered at auction are jewels from the collections of Archduchess Margarete Sophie of Austria (1870-1902), Archduchess Maria Immaculata of Austria-Tuscany (1878-1968), Archduchess Marie Therese of Austria-Teschen (1845-1927), Tsar Ferdinand I of Bulgaria (1861-1948), and Princess Marie Louise of Bourbon-Parma (1870-1899).  
 
Leading the Nov. 6 and 7 auctions are three pearl and diamond jewels.  
 
The first is what Sotheby’s calls “the most significant” 19th century jewel to come to auction in recent memory.  


The corsage ornament featuring “exceptional” natural pearls and diamonds (pictured above and at top of article) was presented to Archduchess Marie Therese of Austria-Teschen (1845-1927) as a wedding gift in 1865. 
 
Its pre-sale estimate is $302,000-$504,000, per current exchange rates. 
 
Estimated to sell for the same amount is the below button-shaped pearl, drop-shaped pearl, and diamond brooch.  
 
The jewel is reminiscent of a similar diamond and pearl pendant that once belonged to Queen Marie Antoinette, which garnered $36.2 million at Sotheby’s Geneva in 2018. 
 
The final top lot, with a $302,000 to $504,000 pre-sale estimate, is the natural pearl and diamond tiara, seen below, created by Viennese court jeweler Köchert. 

According to Sotheby’s, Emperor Franz Joseph (1830-1916) and his consort Empress Elisabeth (1837-1898), known as “Sissi,” largely dictated court fashion of the day.  
 
An 1865 portrait of Sissi by Franz Xaver Winterhalter portrayed star-shaped diamond jewelry adorning her elaborate updo, which fueled a taste for diamond stars for the rest of the century. 
 
Included in the royal collection is a suite of three diamond stars (seen below) that can be worn as brooches, hairpins, or on a tiara frame.

20230913_SothebysGeneva-1.jpg
Sotheby’s Geneva Vienna 1900: An Imperial and Royal Collection diamond star brooches
 
The lot is expected to sell for approximately $10,000 to $14,550. 
 
In the 1870s, Joseph charged Köchert with the redesign of the famous Habsburg ruby and diamond parure in a natural floral style reflective of the Art Nouveau movement of the day.  
 
Further illustrating the emperor’s influence on the era, Köchert created a transformable ruby and diamond necklace for Joseph’s niece, the Archduchess Margarete Sophie of Austria, which is expected to fetch between $123,000-$179,000. 
 
The accompanying ruby and diamond brooch, pictured below, has a $101,000 -$145,000 pre-sale estimate. 
 
Sotheby’s Geneva Vienna 1900: An Imperial and Royal Collection diamond and ruby brooch

Another sale highlight is the five-strand natural pearl necklace, below, estimated to sell for between $157,000 and 246,000.

Sotheby’s Geneva Vienna 1900: An Imperial and Royal Collection five-strand natural pearl necklace

In all, the Viennese royal collection is expected to garner between $3.3 million and $5.6 million.  
 
Full details are available online.  

The Latest

Jemma Wynne Forme Toggle Necklace
CollectionsJul 25, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jemma Wynne’s ‘Forme’ Necklace

Anne Hathaway was seen wearing the toggle necklace three times while filming scenes for “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”

September Hong Kong jewelry show
Events & AwardsJul 25, 2025
Pre-Registration Open for September Hong Kong Show

Jewellery & Gem World Hong Kong is scheduled for Sept. 15 to 21, and buyer pre-registration will be available until Sept. 7.

Bulgari Celestial Mosaic spinel necklace
FinancialsJul 25, 2025
LVMH Sales Slip in H1 Amid ‘Prevailing Uncertainties’

Renovations at Tiffany & Co. stores ate into profits in the company’s watch and jewelry division.

rio-article photo-diamond.jpg
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine Jewelry

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

Mark and Candy Udell
Events & AwardsJul 24, 2025
2 Retailers to Receive 2026 Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement

Mark and Candy Udell of London Jewelers will receive the honor at the 24th annual Gem Awards next March.

Weekly QuizJul 25, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
De Beers marine mining vessel the SS Nujoma
SourcingJul 24, 2025
De Beers Sees Diamond Production Sink 36% in Q2

While struggles continue at the mining and trading end of the pipeline, consumer demand for diamond jewelry is holding steady.

Francesca Villa Fantasia Collection The Crab Pendant, The Mermaid Pendant, Keep Dancing Seahorse Pendant, Keep Dancing Ladybug Pendant, Secret Dreams Pendant, The Puffer Fish Takes Flight Pendant
CollectionsJul 24, 2025
Francesca Villa Adds Dimension to Her Intaglio Characters

The “Fantasia” jewelry collection turns the intaglio animals from her “Close Encounters” collection into 3D characters.

an instructor and a student in a bench jewelry classroom
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench Jewelers

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

Breitling’s special Eagles Super Bowl watch on gold bracelet
WatchesJul 24, 2025
Breitling Drops Super Bowl Watch Honoring the Philadelphia Eagles

The special Classic Avi Chronograph 42 with an Eagles-green dial is limited to 59 pieces, a nod to the Super Bowl Philadelphia just won.

Stock image of crime scene tape
CrimeJul 23, 2025
JSA Warns of Violent String of Smash-and-Grabs in California

JSA has received reports of mobs swarming jewelry stores, driving cars into the storefront or smashing through the windows.

Silvia Furmanovich Kasmir Collection Carnelian Bracelet and Sketch
CollectionsJul 23, 2025
Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Kashmir’ Collection Is a Tribute to Northern India

The “Kashmir” collection features centuries-old craft techniques made in collaboration with the region’s master papier-mâché artisans.

Bench jeweler holding a bracelet and a tool
IndependentsJul 23, 2025
Montreal’s Ecksand Eyes Move to SoHo

Creative Director Erica Bianchini shared why the jeweler is looking to expand into the U.S. and how it’s putting Canadian craftsmanship on the map.

LAFD Fire Station 44 and Fire Station 16
IndependentsJul 23, 2025
IJO Raises Nearly $37K for LA Fire Relief

Two Los Angeles Fire Department stations plan to use the donations to upgrade their equipment and tools.

A Vanitas by Hannah Martin and Guy Berryman Sothebys
CollectionsJul 22, 2025
Jewelry With a Rock ‘n’ Roll Aesthetic Heads to Sotheby’s London

Next week, the auction house will kick off a selling exhibition of jewelry by British artist Hannah Martin and Coldplay’s Guy Berryman.

Cover of the book “Flawless: Inside the Largest Diamond Heist in History”
SourcingJul 22, 2025
Antwerp Diamond Heist Documentary Coming to Netflix

“Stolen: Heist of the Century” is based on “Flawless,” the book about the middle-of-the-night theft, and will debut on Netflix in August.

Emmanuel Raheb
ColumnistsJul 22, 2025
The Gifting Gap: How to Market Jewelry Beyond the Holidays

Emmanuel Raheb shares the top five gifting moments outside of major holidays that jewelers should build marketing campaigns around.

NY Now
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2025
NY Now’s Summer Market Returns in August

The wholesale trade show’s Luxury Lifestyle section will showcase established and emerging jewelry designers.

Jeweler setting a diamond into a ring
MajorsJul 21, 2025
Rio Grande Expands Personalization Offerings

As demand for custom jewelry grows, the company is expanding its services to support retailers.

National Associate of Jewelry Appraisers Logo
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2025
NAJA’s 2025 ‘Ace It’ Conference To Go Virtual

The mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers is slated for Aug. 9 to 10 on Zoom.

Jacquie Aiche graduated turquoise beaded necklace
TrendsJul 21, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Graduated With Honors

Graduated stones make for elevated tennis-style pieces and dramatic statement necklaces.

24th Gem Awards Show Logo
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2025
Gem Awards Now Accepting Nominations for 2026

Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.

Lewis Heyman
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Lewis Heyman on Sourcing Gemstones, Post-Retirement Plans

He retired last month after 28 years traveling the world to source the very best gemstones for his family’s jewelry business, Oscar Heyman.

CCWW Designs Multiple Shell Charm Necklace
TrendsJul 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: CCWW Designs’ Shell Charm Necklace

The charm necklace features six nautical charms of shells and coral that founder Christina Puchi collected on Florida’s beaches.

The Plumb Club board members
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Plumb Club Elects New Board Members

The organization elected its youngest vice president as it looks to draw in fresh talent.

Jewelry industry veterans Brad Campbell and John Liebler
TechnologyJul 18, 2025
Brad Campbell, John Liebler Join Clientbook’s Executive Team

Campbell joins the company as vice president of business development while Liebler is the new vice president of operations.

Silver, Gold, and Bronze Medals for Italy Olympic Winter Games
CollectionsJul 17, 2025
2026 Winter Olympic Medal Design Symbolizes Unity

The medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the Games’ first time being hosted by two cities and the athletes’ journeys.

vimeo screenshot.png
Supplier BulletinJul 17, 2025
The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025: Your Holiday Preparations, All Wrapped Up!

Sponsored by The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025

×

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