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Sotheby's To Offer Rare Necklace.
Sotheby’s announced that the diamond necklace believed to have been made for Catherine the Great and housed in Russia’s Imperial diamond state fund from 1760-1917, will be the highlight of its Magnificent Jewels sale in Geneva on November 17. The necklace is expected to sell for $1.2 million to $2.0 million and will be on view at Sotheby’s in New York from October 28 to October 30.
The necklace consists of 27 large cushion-shaped diamonds within a border of stylized foliate motifs, close set with smaller similarly cut stones, embellished with a ribbon bow clasp, which can be worn separately.
The diamond necklace is a rare survivor of the 18th century when jewels were broken up to produce new jewelry in the latest styles. In 1719, Peter the Great created the Russian State Diamond Fund to house a collection of jewels that would belong to Russia for the permanent glory of the Russian Empire. Peter demanded that the empress or emperor would bequeath a certain number of pieces acquired during their reign.
