Queen Jos?phine's Natural Pearl and Diamond Necklace

[Nora]

http://www.sothebys.com/en/news-video/videos/2014/11/queen-josephine-natural-pearl-diamond-necklace.html

This Magnificent Necklace was sold two days ago for 3,420,689.94 USD
Composed of two strands of natural pearls measuring from approximately 6.25 to 8.45mm, suspending seven detachable drop shaped natural pearls, measuring from approximately 9.50 x 9.55 x 13.85mm to 14.10 x 14.85 x 21.25mm, capped with rose diamonds, the clasp set with a cushion-shaped diamond, shortest length approximately 400mm, each pearl strand detachable, fitted case, accompanied by a portrait of Queen Jos?phine wearing the necklace, measuring approximately 870 x 720mm.

http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/lot.431.html/2014/magnificent-jewels-ge1405

 

[KarinK]

Now that's provenance!

- Karin

 

[pattye]

Now that's provenance!

- Karin

You said it, Karin!

Most interesting to see how the drops detach! And wonderful to see portraits of the necklace being worn.

Thanks very much, Nora!

 

[Nora]

My pleasure Pattye

 

[lisa c]

What a fine way to start the day. I wish we could've lingered over each pearl.

What a great world/ time we live in. As contemporaries of queen Josephine, and commoners, would we even have been aware that such beauties existed?

 

[Naan]

This drops could be used as earrings?

 

[CLICLASP]

I did not see Nora started a thread on it when I did same, sorry,
I attended to this auction last wednesday and I am back with photos for pearl-guide, I will post them soon.

 

[pattye]

Such an extraordinary necklace; it's fine to have the story in 2 threads, just my opinion!

 

[Thomasset]

http://www.parismatch.com/Royal-Blo...rvege-en-vente-chez-Sotheby-s-a-Geneve-646956

 

[pattye]

Thomasset, THANK YOU! And did you see the earrings on the beautiful model in the video??!!

 

[Lady_Disdain]

Dang, I wasted my youth. I should have been an auction house jewelry model.

 

[pattye]

You'd be a terrific model, Beatriz! (This necklace might be fun to reproduce in fw pearls, hmmm??)

 

[Nora]

Go Beatriz! Go! Pattye knows what she's talking about!

 

[Lady_Disdain]

Stop reading my mind, Pattye

The diamond clasp is lovely, too. I am trying to work out its construction.

 

[CLICLASP]

I will post a close up of the clasp later I had the chance to see it and take a photo when the necklace was removed from the window

 

[Lady_Disdain]

Thank you! What an amazing piece.

Hmmm, I might replace the pearl drops with some silver orchids. I am working out the pattern for small orchids for a hair comb but they would also work very well on pearls.