There have been many striking Jewels coming up for Auction this month, with four magnificent pieces of the Russian Crown Jewels which were created for Empress Catherine the Great going on Auction from the collection of Bing and Kathryn Crosby at Sotheby’s in New York City today!
Pearl and Diamond Hair Pin from the Russian Imperial Jewels
Estimate: 5,000 – 7,000 USD
Empress Catherine the Great’s Gold-Mounted Pearl and Diamond Hair Pin from the Russian Imperial Jewels, circa 1750, the terminal of the gold hair ornament formed as a sprig of flowers suspending a natural pearl, the foliage also set with a pearl and a variety of old diamond cuts
Provenance
Empress Catherine II;
The Russian State Jewels;
Sold by the Soviet People’s Commissariat of Finance at Christie’s London, An Important Assemblage of Magnificent Jewelery, Mostly dating to the 18th Century, which formed part of the Russian State Jewels, 16 March 1927;
With A La Vielle Russie, New York
Acquired before 1964 by Mr. and Mrs. Harry L. Crosby, Hillsborough
This flower hair pin, once belonging to this historic treasury of fine jewels, is in the naturalistic style fashionable during the 1760’s. It is documented in the catalogue of the Russian State Jewels published by The People’s Commissariat of Finance (A.E. Fersman, Russia’s Treasure of Diamonds and Precious Stones, The People’s Commissariat of Finance, Moscow, 1926, no. 147, Plate LXXVIII) and was then sold, Christie’s London, An Important Assemblage of Magnificent Jewelery, Mostly dating to the 18th Century, which formed part of the Russian State Jewels, 16 March 1927.
Diamond Flower Dress Trimming from the Russian Imperial Jewels
Estimate: 8,000 – 12,000 USD
Empress Catherine the Great’s Silver and Diamond Flower Dress Trimming from the Russian Imperial Jewels, attributed to Duval, circa 1780, formed as ribbon-tied flower half-open, set with a variety of old-cut diamonds, mounted in silver with a later gold pin and clasp.
Provenance
Empress Catherine II;
The Russian State Jewels;
Sold by the Soviet People’s Commissariat of Finance at Christie’s London, An Important Assemblage of Magnificent Jewelery, Mostly dating to the 18th Century, which formed part of the Russian State Jewels, 16 March 1927;
With A La Vielle Russie, New York
Acquired from the above in 1967 by Mr. and Mrs. Harry L. Crosby, Hillsborough
This flower trimming, once belonging to this historic treasury of fine jewels, was worn on the rich fabric of her dress, to provide points of glitter. It is in the naturalistic style fashionable during the 1760’s as was the motif of the ribbon bow. It is documented in the catalogue of the Russian State Jewels published by The People’s Commissariat of Finance (A.E. Fersman, Russia’s Treasure of Diamonds and Precious Stones, The People’s Commissariat of Finance, Moscow, 1926, no. 106 and 188) and was then sold, Christie’s London, An Important Assemblage of Magnificent Jewelery, Mostly dating to the 18th Century, which formed part of the Russian State Jewels, 16 March 1927.
Two of the composite Brooches are currently on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Flower Dress Trimmings from the Russian Imperial Jewels
Estimate: 20,000 – 30,000 USD
Empress Catherine the Great’s diamond-set Flower Dress Trimmings from the Russian Imperial Jewels, attributed to Duval, circa 1780, formed as ribbon-tied closed flower buds set with a variety of old-cut diamonds with later gold pins.
Provenance
Empress Catherine II
The Russian State Jewels
Sold by the Soviet People’s Commissariat of Finance at Christie’s London, An Important Assemblage of Magnificent Jewelery, Mostly dating to the 18th Century, which formed part of the Russian State Jewels, 16 March 1927, lot 34
With A La Vielle Russie, New York
The pair are documented in the catalogue of the Russian State Jewels published by The People’s Commissariat of Finance (A.E. Fersman, Russia’s Treasure of Diamonds and Precious Stones, The People’s Commissariat of Finance, Moscow, 1926, no. 106 and 188, Plate XCIII) and were then sold, Christie’s London, An Important Assemblage of Magnificent Jewelery, Mostly dating to the 18th Century, which formed part of the Russian State Jewels, 16 March 1927.
The wealth and sumptuousness of the Russian court far exceeds the most fanciful descriptions. The lavishness and grandeur of the court robes and the abundance of jewelery far exceed that of other European courts.’
These are the words of an English traveler invited to celebrations at Catherine’s Winter Palace in 1778. The splendor of the court of Catherine the Great (1762-96) was simply unrivalled and her collection of precious jewels, second to none. Catherine saw the importance of jewels and objects of vertu as tools to proclaim her status and authority, forming a vast and magnificent collection.
