Sotheby’s Geneva will present a highly anticipated auction of Royal & Noble Jewels, featuring an extraordinary collection titled A Tsar’s Treasure: Ferdinand of Bulgaria (1861–1948). The collection, which comprises 114 lots, comes from the prestigious European royal lineage of the Saxe-Coburg-Gotha family and includes personal items from Tsar Ferdinand I. Many of these remarkable pieces, previously unseen by the public for nearly a century, highlight Ferdinand’s impeccable taste and the influence of his mother, Princess Clémentine of Orléans, a noted jewelry collector and daughter of King Louis-Philippe I of France.
Among the most notable items in the auction is a Eugène Fontenay bracelet from around 1870, adorned with spinels, sapphires, emeralds, and diamonds. This exquisite piece was likely passed down from Ferdinand’s wife, Marie Louise of Bourbon-Parma, to their daughter Princess Eudoxia. It is estimated to sell for $40,000–$60,000.
Sotheby’s European and Middle East jewelry chairman, Andres White Correal, commented on the significance of the sale, stating, “The collection offers a rare glimpse into the refined lifestyle of Tsar Ferdinand, showcasing jewels and objects that reflect his personal taste and heritage. This collection brings together some of the most exquisite craftsmanship from Central European royal families.”
The collection also includes a rivière necklace once owned by Princess Eudoxia, which is believed to feature diamonds passed down through the family since 1893. This piece is estimated at $100,000–$150,000.
Renowned jewelry makers such as Bapst, Eugène Fontenay, Froment-Meurice, and Castellani are represented in the auction, alongside other Central European and Austro-Hungarian artisans. Tsar Ferdinand’s love for colored gemstones is evident throughout the collection, with one of the standout pieces being a gold tie pin set with an impressive 4 carats of fancy-colored diamonds. The tie pin is expected to fetch between $500,000 and $700,000.
Other exceptional items include a bracelet attributed to French crown jeweler Bapst, which once belonged to Princess Clémentine of Orléans. This piece, featuring rubies, sapphires, and diamonds, is estimated to sell for $30,000–$50,000.
The sale continues Sotheby’s collaboration with Philipp Württemberg Art Advisory GmbH, following last year’s successful Vienna 1900: An Imperial and Royal Collection auction. Württemberg noted the deeply personal nature of the collection, saying, “This ensemble of jewels has remained within the family of Tsar Ferdinand of Bulgaria. Some pieces belonged to his wife or mother, while others reflect his personal taste, such as the stunning colored diamond pin and his extraordinary collection of cufflinks.
This auction represents a rare opportunity for collectors and enthusiasts to acquire pieces with significant historical and royal value, as they come to market for the first time in decades.
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