An antique diamond necklace worn at Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation and potentially linked to a French scandal involving Marie Antoinette is set to be auctioned by Sotheby’s in Geneva in November. The necklace, boasting 500 diamonds and made of 300 carats, has not been seen in public for over 50 years and is expected to fetch more than £1 million.
The necklace was also worn at King George VI’s coronation by the Marquess of Anglesey family, who owned the diamonds until the 1960s. Some believe the necklace may contain diamonds from the infamous piece involved in the “affair of the necklace,” where Marie Antoinette was falsely accused of not paying for the item.
Andres White Correal of Sotheby’s emphasized the importance of the necklace’s survival and expressed hope that it ends up in the hands of an institution or private collector who appreciates its historical significance. The necklace will embark on a global tour, starting in London, before traveling to Hong Kong, New York, Singapore, Taipei, and Dubai.
Correal stressed the significance of preserving such treasures for future generations and allowing the public to learn about their history. The auction is scheduled to take place on November 11 at the Mandarin Oriental in Geneva. With its rich history and ties to royalty, the antique diamond necklace is expected to draw significant interest and fetch a high price at auction.
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Photo credit www.theguardian.com
