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Marie Antoinette's jewels up for auction Marie Antoinette pearl auctioned for record $36m
(about 9 hours later)
Jewels once belonging to ill-fated French Queen Marie Antoinette are being auctioned in what is being called one of the most important royal jewellery auctions in history. A pearl and diamond pendant that belonged to ill-fated French Queen Marie Antoinette has been sold for $36m (£28m) in what Sotheby's auction house says is a world record for a pearl.
They have not been seen in public for 200 years and include a pearl and diamond pendant, earrings and necklace. The star lot at Sotheby's Geneva show was bought after a fierce bidding. It had been valued at about $2m.
The jewels are part of a major collection of jewellery being sold by Italy's royal Bourbon-Parma house. It was part of a major collection of jewellery sold by Italy's royal Bourbon-Parma house.
The auction will take place in the Swiss city of Geneva on Wednesday. Some of the jewels had not been seen in public for 200 years.
Sotheby's, which is auctioning the jewels, called it "one of the most important royal jewellery collections ever to appear on the market". The previous record for the most expensive pearl jewel was a necklace once owned by the late Dame Elizabeth Taylor. It was sold for $11.8m at Christie's auction house in 2011.
Sotheby's called Wednesday's auction in Geneva as "one of the most important royal jewellery collections ever to appear on the market".
Deputy Chair Daniela Mascetti said: "This extraordinary group of jewels offers a captivating insight into the lives of its owners going back hundreds of years."Deputy Chair Daniela Mascetti said: "This extraordinary group of jewels offers a captivating insight into the lives of its owners going back hundreds of years."
But she noted the "inherent beauty of the pieces themselves; the precious gems they are adorned with and the exceptional craftsmanship they display are stunning in their own right".But she noted the "inherent beauty of the pieces themselves; the precious gems they are adorned with and the exceptional craftsmanship they display are stunning in their own right".
One of the most prized items is Marie Antoinette's Pearl, a natural pearl and diamond pendant, valued at up to $2m (£1.5m). Other auctioned items include the natural pearl and diamond necklace, a pair of pearl and diamond earrings, and a monogram ring with a lock of her hair.
The natural pearl and diamond necklace and a pair of pearl and diamond earrings are both expected to fetch as much as $300,000, while a monogram ring with a lock of her hair is valued at up to $10,000. There were also pieces from King Charles X, the Archdukes of Austria and the Dukes of Parma, including a diamond tiara.
Other items up for auction include pieces from King Charles X, the Archdukes of Austria and the Dukes of Parma, including a diamond tiara valued at up to $550,000. The whole collection was sold for more than £53m.
Marie Antoinette was an Austrian princess before her marriage to France's King Louis XVI. Her extravagant lifestyle turned her into a hate figure in the years leading up to the French Revolution, when many French people could barely afford to feed their families.Marie Antoinette was an Austrian princess before her marriage to France's King Louis XVI. Her extravagant lifestyle turned her into a hate figure in the years leading up to the French Revolution, when many French people could barely afford to feed their families.
She smuggled out her jewellery to her family in Austria before her failed attempt to flee France with Louis XVI and their children. She was guillotined in 1793 at the age of 37.She smuggled out her jewellery to her family in Austria before her failed attempt to flee France with Louis XVI and their children. She was guillotined in 1793 at the age of 37.