Jewels of the Romanovs homes sold at Sotheby's four times higher than the starting price

[Евгений]

At four times higher than the starting price sold at auction in Geneva, belonged to Russia's imperial family unique jewelry. Bidding Company Sotheby's held in the fashionable hotel "Beau Rivage" on the shore of Lake Geneva.

The buyer, whose name was not released, paid 400 francs (408 thousand dollars) for a brooch with a sapphire and diamond frame and a pair of clips with sapphires and diamonds, the Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna Romanova. The deal has been made over the phone.

The value of the headset due to "very high" quality of the stones used and, even more, the rich history of jewelry.

Jewels were secretly taken out of Russia by the British diplomat immediately after the Bolshevik seizure of power. On arrival in London they were placed in one of the banks in the British capital, and two years later transferred to Maria Pavlovna, who managed to escape from shaken by the revolution in Russia.

Very lively bidding took place, and other jewels of great historical significance. Produced in the XIX century necklace from 24 facetted rubies and the same number of diamonds belonging to the Duchess of Roxburgh, was sold for 3.8 million francs in the fact that the original valuation was 540 thousand-1 million francs, and earrings of rubies and diamonds of the same era - for 1.25 million francs, ten times the initial price.

At the same time, the rare natural colored diamonds were called along with the historical stones "highlight" Trade, did not get the expected amount. For example, a fancy vivid blue pear-cut diamond weighing 5.96 carats, an initial assessment which was 5,6-7,6 million francs, was sold for 5 million francs.

All in all, it was implemented more than 400 lots. Revenue from their sale should reach an estimated organizers, from 30 to 45 million francs