Sotheby's to Auction More French Royal Jewels

RAPAPORT Sotheby's has unveiled further French royal jewels that it will offer at its Geneva auction in November, including a diamond tiara with a price estimate of $350,000 to $550,000 It will go under the hammer alongside a collection of pieces once belonging to Marie Antoinette that the auctioneer revealed earlier this year In addition to a diamond-pendant and natural-pearl necklace estimated at $1 million to $2 million, which Sotheby's first showcased in June, the November 14 sale will include a pair of natural-pearl and diamond earrings that once belonged to Marie Antoinette, carrying a pre-sale estimate of $200,000 to $300,000.

A diamond ring bearing the initials MA, and containing a lock of Marie Antoinette's hair, will also be up for grabs So will a ring featuring the monogram and hair of her father-in-law, Louis Dauphin of France, who died before he could ascend the throne, and a diamond plaque bearing the monogram MT set in diamonds, belonging to Marie-Thérèse of Savoie, the Duchess of Parma and wife of Charles II, the Duke of Parma The two rings and plaque carry a combined estimate of $20,000 to $50,000.

Marie Antoinette spent an entire evening in the Tuileries Palace wrapping her jewels in cotton as she prepared to escape the country, according to written accounts by her lady-in-waiting. . Source