An imperial jewellery sale including a set of sapphire and diamond pieces fetched nearly $3 million at an auction at Christie’s in Geneva on Wednesday.
The pieces are said to have belonged to Napoleon’s adoptive daughter which increased its value and demand as sale of objects directly linked to the French emperor is rare.
Nine items from the collection of Stephanie de Beauharnais’ jewelry which were displayed 200 years after the Emperor’s death at a preview at Christie’s, including a sapphire crown which previously belonged to Queen Maria II of Portugal. Bids on the imperial consignment far outweighed pre-sale estimates.
The 9 items were sold individually and included a necklace and tiara adorned with sapphires from mines in what was then known as Ceylon, now Sri Lanka.
