The story of History, through the auctions of Christie’s jewelry: a book tells extraordinary 250 years.
History of jewelry or, perhaps, we should say History with a capital H, through the auctions at Christie’s. A book tells why and how the auctions of famous Maison London, who turned 250 years old, are a mirror not only of taste and a certain way of understanding the valuables, but also the memory of great events. Just to mention two cases: Finished precious objects auctioned by Christie’s and belonged by two queens finished both beheaded, Mary Stuart and Marie Antoinette. Of course there are far less tragic stories that have gone under the hammer of auctioneer.
Precious pages
The book is entitled Christie’s, The Jewellery Archives Revealed, and was written by Vincent Meylan, a specialist in precious stones and jewelery, author of numerous biographies, who works on the history of the precious stones. And the cover has an image significant: the tiara The Cambridge Lover Knot, created at the beginning of the early nineteenth century for Princess Augusta of Hesse Cassel, Duchess of Cambridge, and then sold at Christie’s on 13 maggio1981. A copy of the tiara, commissioned by the Queen Mother, was worn by Queen Elizabeth II and, without the upright pearls, by Diana, Princess of Wales, and now by Kate Middleton. An image that gives the idea of what can go at auction. On the other hand, the first sale of jewels from the British royal family took place at Christie’s in 1773, after the death of the Princess of Wales, mother of George III. As reveal the archives, in the following centuries Christie’s handled the sale of jewelry from several other British royal generations, from Lady Patricia Ramsay, of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, to Princess Maud, Countess of Southesk, and the Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon.
Jewelry, blood and celluloid
As mentioned, there were also the crown jewels that have ended at the auction after tragic paths, such as those of France, Russia, Bavaria, Serbia, Egypt, India and Spain. All sold at Christie’s, after revolutions and abrupt changes. Completely different stories of Hollywood stars, including their protagonists the auction. From the jewels of Elizabeth Taylor to those of Merle Oberon and Gloria Swanson. All illustrated in the book. Federico Graglia
Christie’s, The Jewellery Archives Revealed
Vincent Meylan
ISBN: 9781851498475
Publisher: ACC Art Books
Dimensions: 295 mm x 245 mm
Pages: 360
Illustrations: 234 color, 76 b & w
hardcover: £ 55.00
