Necklace linked to Marie Antoinette’s death to be auctioned for millions of dollars

The piece, from the time Georgian and manufactured in the decade before the French Revolution of 1789, it has 200 carats of diamonds and is valued at about 2 million Swiss francs (US$2.29 million).

The value was estimated Sotheby’sthe auction house and art company that specializes in luxury objects and collectiblesalthough its price could reach a much higher number.

The jewel will be sold by a asian private collector on November 13 and its value goes beyond the price: in the decade of 1780 was involved at the center of a scandal known as the “diamond necklace affair“.

The story goes that Jeanne de la Mottea young noblewoman with financial problems, posed as the former French queen and acquired the necklace in her name. without paying absolutely nothing. A later trial declared innocent to the queen, but this fact tarnished the reputation of Marie Antoinette, the unpopular queen consort of France before the French Revolution.

“What we saw is that jewelry with a noble provenance can generate a enormous amount of enthusiasm“he told Reuters Jessica Wyndhamhead of jewelry sales at Sotheby’s, added that “it is possible that some of these diamonds come from the famous necklace” that caused “the fall of Marie Antoinette.

What happened to the original diamonds

The diamonds of the original piece, made in 1776were later sold in parts in the black marketmaking it impossible to track its location. In any case, some experts claim that the age and quality of the diamonds indicate a coincidence.

The necklace resembles a neck scarf which can be worn open or tied in front. “I think it’s one of the most interesting pieces that we have had in a long time, not only because of its origin, but also because of its design,” added Wyndham.