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Sotheby's to auction period Russian jewellery on Nov 17
24 Oct '05
4 min read
The collection was housed in the 'Diamond Room' in the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. Peter decreed that no piece could be sold, given away or changed. A keeper was appointed and no jewels were ever taken out of the room without a written sealed order and only in the presence of a trustee especially appointed by His Imperial Majesty.
The fear of German invasion at the outbreak of the First World War instigated a decision to move the collection to Moscow. This was done under the supervision of Mr. Bentichev of 'H.I.M. Wardrobe Service'. The removal of the strong boxes was carried out in such haste that no inventory was taken on the collection's departure from St. Petersburg. When the jewels arrived in Moscow they were confiscated and stored away until after the war.
A catalogue entitled: Russia's Treasure of Diamonds and Precious Stones was published in 1925, in Russian, English, French and German, under the supervision of Professor A.E. Fersman. This suggested that the Soviets wished to sell the collection, however the decision was later retracted, as was the catalogue. The first public exhibition of the jewels took place in Moscow in the same year.
Immediately after the publication of the catalogue, a number of the jewels were sold to a syndicate of British and American buyers whose identity is unknown, the state retaining the more valuable items of the collection as part of Russia's national heritage.
The necklace consists of a beautiful row of 27 large cushion-shaped diamonds within a border of stylized foliate motifs, close set with smaller similarly cut stones, embellished with a ribbon bow clasp, which can be worn separately. This historical jewel is sure to appeal to collectors of beautiful jewels, as well as those passionate about fashion and accessories.
The fear of German invasion at the outbreak of the First World War instigated a decision to move the collection to Moscow. This was done under the supervision of Mr. Bentichev of 'H.I.M. Wardrobe Service'. The removal of the strong boxes was carried out in such haste that no inventory was taken on the collection's departure from St. Petersburg. When the jewels arrived in Moscow they were confiscated and stored away until after the war.
A catalogue entitled: Russia's Treasure of Diamonds and Precious Stones was published in 1925, in Russian, English, French and German, under the supervision of Professor A.E. Fersman. This suggested that the Soviets wished to sell the collection, however the decision was later retracted, as was the catalogue. The first public exhibition of the jewels took place in Moscow in the same year.
Immediately after the publication of the catalogue, a number of the jewels were sold to a syndicate of British and American buyers whose identity is unknown, the state retaining the more valuable items of the collection as part of Russia's national heritage.
The necklace consists of a beautiful row of 27 large cushion-shaped diamonds within a border of stylized foliate motifs, close set with smaller similarly cut stones, embellished with a ribbon bow clasp, which can be worn separately. This historical jewel is sure to appeal to collectors of beautiful jewels, as well as those passionate about fashion and accessories.
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