A diamond necklace believed to be connected to the scandal that led to the downfall of France’s last queen, Marie Antoinette, is set to be auctioned in Geneva next week.
The Georgian-era necklace, featuring 300 carats of diamonds, will be sold by an Asian private collector on November 13 and is estimated to be worth around 2 million Swiss francs ($2.29 million), according to Sotheby’s, although it could sell for much more.
This piece was central to the infamous “Diamond Necklace Affair” in the 1780s, where a broke noblewoman named Jeanne de la Motte pretended to be the queen to obtain the necklace without paying for it.
A historic necklace set with nearly 500 diamonds totaling around 300 carats, previously owned by the Marquess of Anglesey, was displayed during an auction preview at Sotheby’s in Geneva, Switzerland.
After a trial, Marie Antoinette was found innocent, but the scandal only worsened her reputation for extravagance, contributing to the French Revolution and her eventual execution.
“It’s possible that some of these diamonds came from the necklace that contributed to Marie Antoinette’s downfall,” said Jessica Wyndham, head of magnificent jewels sales at Sotheby’s. “Jewelry with noble history tends to create a lot of excitement,” she noted, referring to a pearl pendant once owned by the queen that sold for significantly more than expected in 2018.
The original necklace, made in 1776, had its diamonds sold individually on the black market, making them hard to trace. Yet, some experts believe the quality and age of the diamonds suggest a strong connection.
The necklace can be styled like a scarf, worn open or knotted at the front. One notable owner was the Marquess of Anglesey, whose family member wore it during Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation.
“I think it’s one of the most exciting pieces we’ve had for a long time, not just because of its history, but also its design,” said Wyndham.
