In brief
A stunning diamond necklace, rumored to be linked to the infamous "affair of the diamond necklace" that contributed to Marie Antoinette's downfall, has been auctioned for an impressive $4.81 million (£3.8 million). The auction took place in Geneva, where the Georgian piece, featuring around 500 diamonds, was purchased at nearly double its initial estimate by Sotheby’s.
The female buyer, who remains anonymous, expressed her delight by stating that while she is thrilled to possess the necklace, she considers herself merely a custodian until it finds its next owner. Andres White Correal, a Sotheby’s jewellery specialist, noted that there is a distinct market for historical jewels rich in provenance, with buyers seeking both the craftsmanship of the object and its layered history.Marie Antoinette, born in 1755 in Austria, was sent to France as a child bride for future King Louis XVI. She met her tragic end at the guillotine in 1793 during the French Revolution. The necklace is believed to contain some jewels originally at the center of the scandal from the 1780s, where a noblewoman, Jeanne de la Motte, impersonated the queen to swindle a cardinal out of the necklace without paying.Despite Marie Antoinette's innocence, the scandal marred her reputation, leading to her being viewed unfavorably by the French populace. Following the incident, many of the original jewels were sold off on the black market. Some experts suggest that the age and quality of the diamonds in the recent necklace align with the originals. Before being sold, the necklace was a part of the Anglesey family collection and was worn during significant royal events, including Queen Elizabeth II's coronation.Overall, this auction highlights the growing interest in historical jewels, intertwining the past with the present.
