NEWSFLASH: Christie's sold the objects. Summary below, and below that the original article. As with many pieces of jewelry with an unique pedigree, this too sold above estimate. This seems to be the trend in the last year(s): whereas jewelry in the mid-segment suffers from economic downturns, the ultra-high segment only commands an even higher premium.
Price realised: $7,116,371.
Description Christie's:
A VERY IMPORTANT DIAMOND NECKLACE, BY HARRY WINSTON:
Suspending a pear-shaped diamond weighing 38.00 carats to the graduated marquise-cut diamond necklace, 46.5 cm long, with French assay marks for platinum and gold With maker's mark of Jacques Timey for Harry Winston
Accompanied by report No. 16806157 dated 16 January 2008 from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) stating that the diamond is D colour, VVS1, potential clarity
Price realised: $2,499,392
Description Christie's:
A HIGHLY IMPORTANT GEM-SET BOWENITE MAGOT
by Fabergé, circa 1900
The finely carved seated figure, with articulated hands, head and ruby tongue, lightly counter-balanced by means of internal weights, the oyster guilloché enamel girdle set with four cabochon rubies between five rose-cut diamonds, each three-stone eye of ruby and diamonds, the model further embellished with rose-cut diamond ear studs and a cabochon ruby to the collar, 11.2 cm high, 12.1 cm wide
By Carl Fabergé
Description Christie's:
Original article below:
LONDON (Reuters) - Christie's will auction a collection of jewellery belonging to Christina Onassis, the daughter of Greek shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis who struggled to find happiness despite her family's wealth.
More than 40 pieces of jewellery from her collection will go under the hammer in London on 11 June 2008, the highlight of which is a pear-shaped, 38-carat D colour potentially flawless diamond which Onassis wore on a diamond pendant necklace.
GENEVA - An icy, pear-shaped 38-carat diamond that belonged to the only daughter of Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis is on display in Geneva.
The stone Christina Onassis wore on a necklace, which is to be auctioned June 11 in London, has been valued at between $3.5 million and $4.3 million.
The Christie's "vintage jewels" auction will take place almost 20 years after Christina Onassis died of a heart attack at 37. The Harry Winston diamond will be put up for sale alongside dozens of rings, bracelets, watches, necklaces and oddities belonging to the woman who was called "Poor Little Rich Girl" during her lifetime.
The Onassis jewels, which are being sold by her family, make up 45 of the 230 lots in the sale. They also include a "ruby and diamond necklace" by Van Cleef and Arpels, as well as a "sapphire and diamond necklace" estimated to sell for at least $230,000.
Christie's expects the whole sale to fetch $15.6 million.
Christina Onassis was born in 1950 to Aristotle Onassis and his first wife, Athena..
It was on a yacht that Onassis reportedly kept a jade-colored Buddha by Peter Carl Faberge. The figurine's hands and head moved on springs and pivots and would have serenely rocked as the ship sailed the Mediterranean.
Christie's estimates the Buddha will fetch $487,000 to $681,000 at auction.
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Accompanying Images:
Francois Curiel, Chairman of Christie's for Europe holds a gem-set Bowenite Magot by Faberge, also know a the "Onassis Buddha" during a preview at Christie's auction house in Geneva May 9, 2008. The finely carved figure, with articulated hands, head and ruby tongue, was bought by Aristotle Onassis in the early 1960's and kept on the "Christina" yacht. It is expected to reach between $ 500,000 and $ 700,000 during an auction sale in London June 11.
REUTERS/Denis Balibouse (SWITZERLAND)
A Christie's employee holds a pear-shaped 38 carat D colour potentially flawless diamond fitted on a necklace that belongs to the collection of Christina Onassis during a preview in Geneva May 9, 2008. The necklace will be the highlight of the 230 items to be sold during an auction sale in London June 11. It is expected to reach between $ 3,600,000 and $ 4,400,000.
REUTERS/Denis Balibouse (SWITZERLAND)
