Paris Jewels

Princely provenance, precious stones, mythical signatures of the Parisian ?haute joaillerie' houses such as Boivin, Cartier and Chaumet, this sale will offer a collection of 12 pieces which represent the classic taste and timeless elegance of the woman who collected them . Among them are two pearl necklaces of which one boasts a clasp dating back to the Second Empire: set with a Ceylon sapphire, it was offered by Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III, to Mademoiselle Marie Yvonne Gillois, future wife of Prince Alexandre Murat. The taste of Princess Murat, born Cécile Ney d'Elchingen, will be evoked by a necklace of small diamonds to which she hung her lorgnette. Two rings set by Chaumet complete this jewellery box: one is adorned with a sapphire from the prestigious Kashmir mines and has belonged to the wife of the 11th Duke of Luynes and Chevreuse, and the other, set with a Burmese ruby, was the property of Princess Napoléon Murat. As a prelude to this exceptional selection a private Parisian collection of Art Deco boxes, powder compacts and cigarettes cases by Cartier and Verger Frères will be sold at the auction. Among the other signatures presented in this sale are Boucheron, Bulgari, Buccellati, Graff, Mauboussin, Tiffany & Co. and Van Cleef & Arpels.