A Pearl and Diamond Tiara, a Wolfers Enamel Tiara and a Chaumet Devant de Corsage from a Countess are among the Royal and Noble Jewels going on Auction at the Sotheby’s ‘Fine Jewels’ Sale in Paris today!
Sotheby’s Fine Jewels | 26 March 2025
Chaumet Diamond Devant-De-Corsage
Estimate: 50,000 – 100,000 EUR
Property Of A Countess
A Chaumet Diamond Devant-De-Corsage, designed as a buckle topped with a rectangular motif with an articulated tie, millegrain-set throughout with circular-cut and cushion-shaped diamonds, in a fitted case stamped Chaumet; 1929.
‘This brooch is a special order placed on February 25, 1929 for a French noble
family. The customer brought to Chaumet several antique jewels including a bow brooch, three bracelets and a diamonds barrette brooch to reuse the gold and stones as was the customary at the time.
This brooch has not been modified and is preserved in its original case.
This brooch was inspired by the lavallière, a fabric ornament worn around the neck and a key fashion accessory in the 18th century. In 1929, Chaumet reinterpreted the lavallière with style and elegance, transforming the fabric bow into a diamond tie with pure, geometric lines, according to the Art Deco aesthetic’. extract from the Chaumet authenticity certificate.
Natural Pearl And Diamond Tiara
Estimate: 8,000 – 12,000 EUR
A Natural Pearl And Diamond Tiara, composed of scroll motifs, to a star surmount, highlighted with natural pearls, circular-cut and rose diamonds, late 19th century.
Wolfers Enamel, Opal, Glass Paste And Diamond Tiara
Estimate: 18,000 – 30,000 EUR
A Wolfers Enamel, Opal, Glass Paste And Diamond Tiara, , decorated with enameled chrysanthemums highlighted by diamonds and featured in our sale, is signed by Maison Wolfers and comes from the descendants of Hélène-Eugénie Lamarche.
Hélène-Eugénie Lamarche (1853–1937) was born in Liège. In 1873, she married Théodore-Victor de Luesemans (1850–1911). Théodore-Victor was the son of Charles-Joseph-Pascal de Luesemans, a Doctor of Law, deputy, mayor of Louvain, and governor of the province of Liège. The couple, enjoying considerable wealth, resided at Château d’Awan in Aywaille from the time of their marriage. Château d’Awan, located southwest of Aywaille near the hamlet of Awan, dates back to the 18th century. As they had no children, the château and their belongings were inherited by Hélène-Eugénie’s nephew, including the tiara, which had been gifted to her by her husband, Théodore-Victor de Luesemans.
Ruby and Diamond Bracelet
Estimate: 60,000 – 80,000 EUR
From Jules Porgès and his descendants
A Ruby and Diamond Bracelet, composed of articulated and rectangular links set with sugar-loaf ruby cabochons within a rose diamond surrounding and interspersed with circular-cut diamonds.
Jules Porgès (1839–1921), was born in Vienna to a jeweler father of Austro-Hungarian descent. At the age of 18, in 1857, he moved to Paris where he rapidly established himself as a visionary diamond magnate. Initially involved in the diamond trade and cutting, which brought him considerable wealth as a prosperous businessman, he soon became a key figure in the South African diamond rush of the 1860s, following the discovery of rich deposits. In the 1870s, he founded the Compagnie française de diamants du Cap de Bonne-Espérance, which controlled a substantial portion of the diamond mines in Kimberley, South Africa, and later played a pivotal role in the consolidation of the diamond market, helping shape its future under the leadership of De Beers.
A visionary in both business and industry, Porgès collaborated with luminaries such as Alfred Beit, Julius Wernher, and the Rothschild family, investing in the gold mines of Johannesburg. By the time he turned 50 in 1889, Porgès retired from his ventures to focus on Parisian real estate and the arts. In 1892, he commissioned the construction of a magnificent private mansion on Avenue Montaigne, and, as a gift to his wife, Rose-Anne “Anna” Wodianer (1854–1937), acquired the Château de Rochefort-en-Yvelines, just outside Paris. There, he enlisted Charles Mewès, the renowned architect behind the Hôtel Ritz in Paris, to design a grand residence inspired by the Hôtel de Salm (Palais de la Légion d’Honneur in Paris), yet twice its size.
Together, Porgès and Wodianer became one of the most iconic couples in Parisian high society, hosting sumptuous soirées that attracted the elite of the era. Wodianer was celebrated for her beauty and her passion for the Ancien Régime, amassing a distinguished collection of 18th-century art. The couple had a daughter, Henriette Hélène “Elly” Porgès (1878–1946), who later became the Marquise de la Ferté-Meun. She continued to uphold and perpetuate the cultural and artistic legacy established by her parents.
Porcelain Miniatures And Ruby Bracelet
Estimate: 15,000 – 30,000 EUR
A Porcelain Miniatures And Ruby Bracelet composed of hinged medallions, decorated with three oval miniatures depicting gallant scenes, a medallion with coat of arms, enhanced with floral and foliate chiseled decors, set with cabochons and circular-cut rubies.
The coat of arms depicting belongs to an old aristocratic French family called Mirrieu de Labarre. They are described as follows : Azure, a sword Silver hilted Gold, palewise point down.
Emerald and Diamond Brooch/Pendant
Estimate: 4,000 – 8,000 EUR
Sapphire and Diamond Necklace
Estimate: 15,000 – 30,000 EUR
Brown Diamond And Diamond Pendant
Estimate: 14,000 – 22,000 EUR
Set of Gold, Silver And Diamond Jewels
Estimate: 4,000 – 6,000 EUR
Diamond Brooch
Estimate: 8,000 – 12,000 EUR
Ruby and Diamond Necklace
Estimate: 12,000 – 18,000 EUR
Pearl And Diamond Brooch
Estimate: 15,000 – 26,000 EUR
Diamond and Natural Pearl Necklace
Estimate: 8,000 – 12,000 EUR
Diamond Pendant
Estimate: 35,000 – 55,000 EUR
Diamond Brooch
Estimate: 6,000 – 12,000 EUR
Monture Boucheron Diamond Double Clip-Brooch
Estimate: 7,000 – 15,000 EUR
Mauboussin Rock Crystal, Enamel And Diamond Brooch
Estimate: 12,000 – 24,000 EUR
Cartier Enamel and Diamond Cigarette Case
Estimate: 10,000 – 20,000 EUR
Glass Paste, Onyx And Diamond Clip
Estimate: 8,000 – 15,000 EUR
Boucheron Enamel, Jadeite, Pearl And Diamond Vanity Case
Estimate: 10,000 – 20,000 EUR
Diamond Brooch
Estimate: 5,500 – 7,000 EUR
Diamond Bracelet
Estimate: 20,000 – 30,000 EUR
Sapphire and Diamond Brooch
Estimate: 9,000 – 15,000 EUR
Gold and Diamond Brooch
Estimate: 5,500 – 8,000 EUR
