The 35-carat pear-shaped diamond Marie de Medici wore at her coronation in 1610, one of the world’s most famous gems, is to be auctioned in Geneva on May 15.
Passed down through the royal families of France, England, Prussia and the Netherlands, the Beau de Sancy has witnessed 400 years of European history.
“The Beau Sancy is one of the most fascinating and romantic gems ever to appear at auction,” David Bennett, from Sotheby’s jewellery department said in a statement.
The stone gets its name from diamond collector Nicolas Harley de Sancy, who bought it in Constantinople, now Istanbul, in the late 16th century.
It is believed to have come from the city of Golconda, in central India, where other famous diamonds such as the Kohinoor and the Regent originated.
Marie de Medici wore it mounted atop her crown for her coronation on 13 May 1610, the day before her husband, France’s King Henry IV, was assassinated.
According to Sotheby’s, when the last German Emperor and King of Prussia fled to exile in Holland in 1918, the crown jewels — including the Beau Sancy — remained at the Kaiser’s palace in Berlin.
At the end of World War II, the collection was transferred to a bricked-up crypt in Bueckeburg, where it was later found by British troops. It was returned to the House of Prussia, which is now auctioning it.
The 34.98-carat diamond measures 2.3 centimetres in height, is 1.9 cm wide and 1.1 cm deep. The stone is expected to fetch $2-4 million.
Source: luxuo.com
Similar Posts:
Imperial Chinese bowl fetches $27 million
Pear-shaped 110-carat diamond to go under hammer
Maharaja”s ”Tiger-Car” Rolls-Royce on auction
Princess Beatrice’s wedding hat sells for £81,100
Rare pink diamond fetches $10.8 million
Naturally Precious
Save and share Historic ‘Beau Sancy’ gem for sale next week
To share this post with your family and friends? Click the button below to send them an email or save this to your favorite social network.
