There are many striking antique Jewels coming up for Auction this time of year, with a Brooch from Princess Elżbieta Rufener-Sapieha among the spectacular Antique Jewels going on Auction at the Sotheby’s Fine Jewelry Sale in London next week!
Sotheby’s Fine Jewellery | 3 June 2025
Sapphire & Diamond Brooch
Estimate: 5,000 – 7,000 GBP
A Sapphire & Diamond Brooch, 19th Century, the oval-cut sapphire within a surround of circular-cut sapphires, with scalloped border of old cushion-shaped diamonds, within closed back settings. Mounted in silver and gold.
Diamond Brooch and Diamond Pendant
Estimate: 5,000 – 7,000 GBP
A Diamond Brooch and Diamond Pendant, comprising: a brooch of floral design, set with rose-cut and old cushion-shaped diamonds, four diamonds deficient; and a similarly-set pendant of floral and foliate design, suspending a detachable foliate attachment. Each mounted in silver and gold.
Gold and Pearl Necklace and Earrings
Estimate: 6,000 – 8,000 GBP
A Gold and Pearl Necklace and Earrings, Circa 1860, the fringe of pearls with rose-cut diamond points, with similarly-cut diamond centrepiece, suspended from swags of gold chain, set with pearls; the pair of pendent earrings of similar design with later screw back fittings.
Diamond and Enamel Feather Brooch
Estimate: 15,000 – 20,000 GBP
A Diamond and Enamel Feather Brooch, 18th Century and later, designed as a brooch of en tremblant feathers, the shafts decorated with blue enamel, set throughout with closed back rose-cut, old cushion- and pear-shape diamonds.
Aigrette brooches (coming from the word egret) were popular throughout the 18th and 19th century, worn in the hair, often as part of elaborate coiffures. Feathers were very popular in Georgian fashion, symbolising accomplishment, beauty, and power.
Diamond Pendent Earrings
Estimate: 8,000 – 12,000 GBP
Diamond Pendent Earrings, each of pendeloque design, highly articulated, set with old cushion- and pear-shaped diamonds.
Pearl and Diamond Brooch
Estimate: 800 – 1,200 GBP
A Pearl and Diamond Brooch, Circa 1920, of geometric, openwork design, set with a pearl and old brilliant- and rose-cut diamonds.
Diamond Fringe Necklace
Estimate: 35,000 – 45,000 GBP
A Diamond Fringe Necklace, the fringe composed of step-cut diamonds and brilliant-cut diamond clusters, between ribbons of similarly-cut diamonds, suspended from the single-cut diamond fancy-link chain.
Diamond Brooch
Estimate: 6,000 – 8,000 GBP
A Diamond Brooch of openwork design, the marquise-cut diamond within a surround of millegrain-set brilliant and single-cut diamonds,bordered by three rows of similarly-cut diamonds.
Yellow Sapphire, Sapphire and Diamond Brooch
Estimate: 8,000 – 12,000 GBP
From Princess Elżbieta Rufener-Sapieha (1921-2008)
Yellow Sapphire, Sapphire and Diamond Brooch, Early 20th Century, of target design, the cushion-shaped yellow sapphire weighing 11.90 carats, within concentric circles of calibre-cut sapphires and old cushion-shaped diamonds.
Princess Elżbieta Rufener-Sapieha (1921-2008)
Descent to the current owner
This brooch belonged to Princess Elżbieta Rufener-Sapieha, a distinguished member of the noble Sapieha family. Born into Polish aristocracy, she was the daughter of Eustachy Kajetan Sapieha and Teresa Lubomirska. A courageous member of the wartime resistance, she was imprisoned by the Gestapo in 1944. After the war, she settled in Switzerland, where she studied under Karl Bieri and became an accomplished painter. She remained deeply engaged in cultural and charitable work throughout her life and was honoured in 1994 with the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland by President Lech Wałęsa.
Sapphire and Diamond Pendant Necklace
Estimate: 100,000 – 150,000 GBP
A Sapphire and Diamond Pendant Necklace, Late 19th Century, designed as a rivière of graduating cushion-shaped diamonds in pinched collet settings, suspending an openwork pendant, set with cushion-shaped diamonds and an oval-cut sapphire weighing 11.44 carats.
Cartier Diamond and Tortoiseshell Hair Comb
Estimate: 6,000 – 8,000 GBP
A Cartier Diamond and Tortoiseshell Hair Comb, comprising: a pair of double pronged tortoiseshell ‘fourche’ combs, each arched openwork surmount of garland design, millegrain-set with rose-cut diamonds; and a comb of curving design, millegrain-set with rose- and old brilliant-cut diamonds.
Pearl, Sapphire and Diamond Necklace
Estimate: 40,000 – 60,000 GBP
A Pearl, Sapphire and Diamond Necklace, of lariat design, the row of pearls measuring from 8.1 – 8.2 to 4.5 mm, terminating in rose-cut diamond capped carved sapphires.
Pearl and Diamond Necklace
Estimate: 10,000 – 20,000 GBP
A Pearl and Diamond Necklace, the openwork, geometric plaque, millegrain-set with old brilliant-cut and old cushion-shaped diamonds, suspending a leaf-shaped plaque similarly-set, on a necklace composed of two rows of cultured pearls, with old-brilliant and brilliant-cut diamond spacers.
Diamond Pendent Earrings
Estimate: 60,000 – 80,000 GBP
A pair of Diamond Pendent Earrings, Early 20th Century, each old pear-shaped diamond, weighing 3.19 carats and 3.86 carats respectively, suspended from old brilliant-cut diamond surmounts via trios of millegrain-set single-cut diamonds.
Pearl and Diamond Choker
Estimate: 100,000 – 150,000 GBP
A Pearl and Diamond Choker, early 20th Century, the articulated plaque of foliate design, millegrain-set with rose-cut diamonds, suspending a large principal pear-shape diamond within an openwork surround set with old brilliant-cut and cushion-shaped diamonds issuing similarly-set tassels, each terminated with pear-shape diamond drop, with 12 rows of pearls leading to diamond-set spacers and a velvet ribbon, with similarly-set openwork clasp.
Diamond Pendant/Brooch
Estimate: 50,000 – 70,000 GBP
A Diamond Pendant/Brooch, Circa 1930, the geometric surmount suspending a graduating fringe of articulated tassels, set with old brilliant-, baguette-, single-, trapeze-cut, and marquise-shaped diamonds, the central tassel with scalloped and piercing detail flanking the step-cut diamond, within a frame of baguette diamonds.
This pendant exemplifies the quintessential characteristics of Art Deco design, showcasing geometric shapes and clean lines with very precise craftsmanship. The curvaceous, door knocker-like form is typical of the period and echoes similar motifs used by renowned jeweller Louis Cartier. Synonymous with elegance, the piece reflects the era’s fascination with modernity and progress. Its bold, architectural style speaks to a time when design embraced both function and ornamentation.
Sotheby’s Paris, 2025, Lot 41 for a diamond devant-de-corsage by Chaumet of similar design which sold for €158,750.
Cartier Diamond Bracelet
Estimate: 60,000 – 80,000 GBP
A Cartier Diamond Bracelet, the articulated, openwork panel millegrain-set with old brilliant-cut diamonds, on a black cord with rose-cut diamond rondelles.
For a bracelet of near identical design, see Sotheby’s London, 2019, Lot 374, belonging to Annie Pearson, née Cass, 1st Viscountess Cowdray (1860-1932), and Agnes Beryl Pearson, née Spencer Churchill, 2nd Viscountess Cowdray, sold for £175,000.
See also, Sotheby’s Geneva, 2018, Lot 441, a bracelet of similar design belonging to Gladys Deacon, Duchess of Marlborough, sold for 218,750 CHF.
Sotheby’s Fine Jewellery | 3 June 2025
