CHECK OUT THIS JAW DROPPING JEWELRY COLLECTION!
Up for auction today is a Christie’s auction catalog entitled “Jewels
From The Personal Collection Of Princess Salimah Aga Khan. The catalog is
hardcover and is complete with its original dust-jacket. The catalog features
230 pages filled with gorgeous color photos of 261 lots in the collection. This
particular auction was held Monday, November 13th, 1995 at Hotel
Richemond, which is located in Geneva.
Here’s some information about the collection, found inside the
catalog:
The sumptuous
collection of jewellery illustrated in this catalogue perfectly reflects the
title of the sale, in that it is a very personal collection. Whilst most of the
great names of jewellery design of the 20th Century are represented,
such as Cartier, Winston, Van Cleef & Arpels, Bulgari, Boucheron and
Bucellati, many pieces were expressly made for the Princess and their style is
therefore very singular. What shines through is Princess Salimah’s appreciation
of jewellery and in her own words the way it ‘speaks.’
Unique and
extraordinary are adjectives to be used with care, but the yellow and white
diamond necklace and earrings, by Boucheron (lot 245), the sapphire, emerald
and diamond parure by Van Cleef & Arpels (lot 249) and the carved emerald
parure also by Van Cleef & Arpels (lot 255) are deserving of such epithets.
In each of these three pieces traditional oriental designs have been adapted to
a more contemporary fashion yet still retain and exotic flavour. Perhaps more
remarkably they also incorporate old Indian stones, many cut as briolettes, but
remain essentially light, delicate and extremely wearable. It is the
combination of these qualities that sets these pieces apart.
Superb gemstones also
punctuate the collection; the Colombian emeralds that are suspended from the
diamond parure by Cartier (lot 259); the superb Kashmir sapphire of 21.75 carats
set in a diamond ring by Harry Winston (lot 250); and the line of Burmese
rubies in the bracelet from Van Cleef & Arpels (lot 248); will all catch
the eye of the connoisseur. However, it is ‘The Begum Blue’ diamond (lot 261)
that is the rarest stone and undoubted star of the sale. In both rarity and
importance this 13.78 carat heart-shaped blue diamond stands alongside other
renowned the diamonds such as the Tereschenko and so called ‘Princess Eugenie’
blue, now housed in the Smithsonian Institute.
Many will wonder as to
how ‘The Begum Blue,’ together with the 16.04 heart-shaped D colour internally
flawless diamond which accompanies it, came to be mounted in such a simple
fashion. It is a charming fact that it was without idea of their value that the
Princess had these stones mounted in a way that she felt comfortable wearing
them. It is this personal quality that characterises the collection; these
pieces have been loved and, most importantly, worn.
In any other sale the
oval blue diamond mounted as a ring by Boucheron (lot 256) would be considered
a rare stone to appear on the market. To have two fancy deep blue diamonds of
such quality within one sale is without precedent.
The collection of jewels
by Buccellati that is included in this sale is also of special note. Jewels by
this Italian craftsman are rarely seen on the market as they are jealously
guarded by their original owners. Buccellati is renowned for creating jewels
that simulate the effect of lace. The diamond ‘lace’ parure (lot 218) in this
sale is a virtuoso display of the very finest of today’s goldsmithing skills;
each element is hand crafted to dazzling effect. Similarly the cuff bangles
evoke the gorgeous bejewelled lace cuffs of the Renaissance (lot 219-221).
There is also
jewellery that can be referred to as classic in style. The diamond leaf brooch
by Winston (lot 257) is firmly in this tradition. Harry Winston revolutionised
the setting of diamonds by creating jewels using stones of the highest quality
within platinum settings that could never overshadow the inherent beauty of the
diamonds. This leaf is such a piece, the stones appearing to tumble over one
another creating a cascade of light. The 16.66 carat, D colour, pear-shaped
diamond (lot 258); which the Princess often wore with this brooch, is a perfect
complement.
By the way of
contrast, there are many jewels that show the eclectic range of the jewellers’
skills of execution and design. The charming multi-coloured and diamond lion
brooch by Boivin (lot 212) is one example; it is articulated in such a way that
when worn it would appear in lie au repos on the shoulder. The inclusion of pieces
by the contemporary Italian designer Pintaldi also adds an unusual dimension,
and represents the Princess’s appreciation of a new designer’s talent and
inventive skill.
It is the sheer scope
of the collection that astonishes. Nevertheless, within the diversity of
makers, gemstones, styles, design and age there is a unity only achieved when
the guiding hand that has created the collection has a genuine love and feel
for jewellery. This sale has ‘something for everyone,’ but there is no doubt
that each successful purchaser will feel that they have indeed bought something
intensely personal.
Here’s some information about Princess Salimah Aga Khan found
inside the catalog:
The jewels in this
catalogue, part of the personal collection of Princess Salimah Aga Khan are
undoubtedly exquisite examples of the jewellers’ art. They are also a symbol of
an extraordinary and interesting life, which is now entering a new phase.
The group of antique
jewels in this collection were given to the Princess by her two grandmothers,
one English, one a Miss Gibson of Philadelphia whose father was a Colonel in
the U.S. Cavalry. These antique jewels serve to remind one of her partly
American lineage and her very English childhood. For Princess Salimah Aga Khan
was born Sarah Croker Poole in 1940 in Delhi, during the last days of the
British Raj. Her father was a serving officer in the 6th (Duke of
Connaught’s Own) Lancers, an Indian Cavalry, now Pakistani, regiment.
In 1946, Princess Salimah’s
family returned to England where they farmed in Berkshire and later came to
live in London. In his retirement, the Princess’s father enjoyed working at the
Records Office at Scotland Yard. Princess Salimah was educated at Croft House
School for girls in Dorset and subsequently at Madame Boue’s, a finishing
school in Paris for the daughters of the Polite World. In 1958 Sally, as she
was, and is, known, became the most beautiful debutante for her year and was
presented at Court before Her Majesty the Queen. At the age of nineteen, a year
after she came out, she married Lord James Crichton-Stuart, youngest brother of
the 6th Marquess of Bute. Two years later, they separated; the
marriage was subsequently annulled.
After she separated
from her husband, the Princess earned her own living as a photographic fashion
model. Her luminous, finely etched blonde English looks ensured that she was
photographed by most of the famous photographers of the day, including Cecil Beaton,
Norman Parkinson, Richard Avedon, Hiro and Terence Donovan. She also made over
twenty television commercials, including one for Pond’s Cold Cream. The
Princess enjoyed her independent life in London and was one of the most
successful models of the decade. She was voted ‘Best Dressed Off the Peg’ and
that at the height of her modelling career, she was earning over 80,000 pounds
a year.
In 1969 the Princess
married His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan and they began their life together
based in France, spending summers in Sardinia and winters in St. Moritz.
Princess Salimah took a deep interest in her husband’s work and travelled
extensively with him. It is from this period of her life that most of her
collection dates.
Times however, change,
and Princess Salimah now looks forward to exciting new chapters in her life led
with, perhaps, a little less ceremony then before, and involving a multitude of
exciting and different projects and interests both in Switzerland, where she
has lived for the past thirteen years, and in London where, to be close to her
mother and her English family, she has an apartment.
The Princess, surely a
paradigm of English aristocratic beauty and intelligence, is developing her
life in new and different directions, just as she did in the 1960s. One of her
aims is to create a charitable foundation financed in part with proceeds from
this sale.
Here’s a list of the contents found inside the catalog:
Jewels From The Personal Collection Of Princess Salimah Aga Kahn
Christie’s Staff and Services For This Sale
Christie’s International Jewellery Department
Buying At Christie’s
Selling At Christie’s
Catalogue—Individual Lot Descriptions Of Jewels In This Sale.
Diamond Colour Grading Chart
Ring Sizes
Written Bids Form
Collection and Storage
Christie’s Services
Catalogue and Publications Order Form
Christie’s Charges and VAT
Conditions Of Business
Christie’s Departments
Salerooms and Offices
Christie’s Directors
The pictures you see above are as follows: Front of the
dust-jacket, Back of the dust-jacket, picture of Princess Salimah Aga Khan,
Black Cultured Pearl and Diamond Torsade Necklace by Poiray, A Two-Coloured
Gold Evening Bag, by Boucheron, A Suite Of White Coral and Diamond Flower
Jewellery, by Van Cleef & Arpels, an Indian Gem-Set and Enamel Pendant
Necklace, and ‘The Begum Blue’ A Magnificent Fancy Deep Blue Diamond and
Diamond Pendant Necklace by Poiray.
The catalog is in good condition. The front of the dust-jacket
shows slight wear, including light staining. There are a couple of small crease
marks in the upper and lower left hand corners. There’s a large crease mark and
a couple of small crease marks in the lower right hand corner. There are a few
small crease marks in the upper right hand corner. There’s a small tear in the
upper left hand corner. There’s a tiny tear located along the bottom edge.
There are a few various-sized crease marks located near and along the top and
bottom edges. There’s a medium amount of scuffing along the top edge and a
light amount of scuffing along the bottom edge. There are a few various-sized
scratch marks throughout (most of these are light and hardly noticeable). There’s
a light amount of scuffing along the top and bottom edges of the spine. There’s
a large crease mark along the top edge and a few small crease marks along the
bottom edge of the spine. There’s also a small scuff mark in the lower left
hand corner of the spine. The back of the dust-jacket shows light staining.
There’s a large crease mark in the upper left hand and upper right hand corners.
There are a few small crease marks in the lower left hand and lower right hand
corners. There are a few various-sized crease marks in and near the top and
bottom edges. There’s a medium amount of scuffing and a light amount of
scuffing along the bottom edge. There’s a small tear along the top edge. There’s
a small tear in the upper left hand, lower left hand, and lower right hand
corners. There’s a large tear in the upper right hand corner. There are a few
various-sized scratch marks throughout (most of these are light and hardly
noticeable). There are a few various-sized crease marks in and near the top and
bottom edges, of both the front and back inside flaps of the dust-jacket. Most
of the creases and tears that I have described on the front and back of the
dust-jacket, show through to the inside of the dust-jacket. The inside of the
dust-jacket shows a light to medium amount of staining. The main pages are
lightly yellowed. Some of the pages also show light staining. A few of the
pages have a small crease mark in or near a corner. However, all of the pages
are fully legible.
Please keep in mind, I’m super picky when describing my items. This
catalog is beautiful and is in good condition. If you are a jewelry collector,
dealer, or someone who just appreciates pretty, unique pieces, this catalog is
a must have for your collection!
SHIPPING INFORMATION
As soon as I receive
your payment, I will process the item for shipment. I will ship your item the
same day I receive your payment and if I can’t do that, I guarantee I will ship
it the next day. (Keep in mind I can’t ship on Sunday or Holidays that the post
office recognizes.)
Your shipping cost will
include delivery confirmation / tracking number, so that you can keep track of
the package throughout the shipping process. It also includes the cost of
packaging materials that will keep your items safe during shipping. At times I
use clean, recycled packaging supplies. I DO NOT make money off shipping.
I accept returns only if
I have misrepresented the item in some way, or the item is damaged during
shipment. I try to be as thorough and as picky as possible in my descriptions
but I am only human. If you do have a problem with an item, please contact me
before leaving feedback and I will be happy to help you.
PAYMENT INFORMATION
I would appreciate
payment within 7 days. However, I am flexible. If for some reason you cannot
send payment within 7 days, please contact me. If I haven’t heard from you, and
more than 3 days have passed, I will send you a friendly reminder.
If no payment has been
received after 7 days, and I have not heard from you, I will turn the
transaction in to eBay as a non-payment.
I will be happy to
combine shipping for multiple auction wins. Please wait until all the items you
are bidding on have ended to pay, so that I can send a combined invoice.
Please check out my other
auctions as well for more unique items; you never know what treasures you may
find!