A brooch presented as a wedding gift from King Alfonso XII of Spain to his wife in 1879 leads Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction in Geneva.
Called the Maria Christina Royal Devant-de-Corsage brooch, the piece was presented to Archduchess Maria Christina of Austria and is estimated to fetch $1.5 million to $2 million US.
Other highlights of the May 13 auction include:
• a pear-shape D-colour flawless diamond of 55.52 carats estimated at $8.5 to $10.5 million US;
• a rectangular-cut fancy vivid pink diamond of 5.18 carats estimated at $9.5 to $12.5 million US; and
• Ashoka-cut D-colour flawless diamond ring of 21.75 carats estimated at $2.8 to $3.5 million US.
The sale is expected to achieve more than $80 million.
