Never seen before Marie Antoinette jewels up for auction

Sotheby's said the auction of more than 100 lots, all owned by the Bourbon-Parma family, will be held in Geneva on November 12

This undated handout photo released by Sotheby's Geneva shows a natural pearl and diamond necklace that once belonged to Marie Antoinette, expected to sell for $200,000-300,000. One of the most famous royal jewellery collections ever to come to auction will be coming to Sotheby’s in Geneva on 12 Nov. 2018. Entitled “Royal Jewels from the Bourbon-Parma Family”, the auction will span centuries of European history, from the reign of Louis XVI to the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and will offer fascinating insights into the splendor of one of Europe’s most important royal dynasties. (Sotheby's Geneva via AP)
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Diamonds and pearls that once belonged to French King Louis XVI's Queen Marie-Antoinette and have never been seen in public are to go on sale.

Sotheby's said the auction of more than 100 lots, all owned by the Bourbon-Parma family, will be held in Geneva on November 12.

"This is one of the most important collections of royal jewellery ever to come to market," said Daniela Mascetti of Sotheby's Europe.

"Kept out of view, never seen in public, this extraordinary collection offers a fascinating glimpse of the life of this family in centuries gone by," she added in a statement.

Marie Antoinette's diamond pendant with an exceptional natural pearl is expected to fetch up to $2 million (Dh7.35m).

This undated handout photo released by Sotheby's Geneva shows a diamond and natural pearl pendant that once belonged to Marie Antoinette, expected to sell for $1-2 million. One of the most famous royal jewellery collections ever to come to auction will be coming to Sotheby’s in Geneva on 12 Nov. 2018. Entitled “Royal Jewels from the Bourbon-Parma Family”, the auction will span centuries of European history, from the reign of Louis XVI to the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and will offer fascinating insights into the splendor of one of Europe’s most important royal dynasties. (Sotheby's Geneva via AP)
Marie Antoinette's diamond pendant with an exceptional natural pearl is expected to fetch up to $2 million (Dh7.35m) Sotheby's Geneva via AP

A necklace of more than 300 natural pearls has been valued at up to $300,000(255,00 euros) and a pair of pearl drop earrings 50,000 dollars.

"Renowned for her extravagance and the splendour and lavishness of her court, Marie Antoinette is very often portrayed wearing pearls," Sotheby's noted.

This undated handout photo released by Sotheby's Geneva shows a pair of natural pearl drop earrings that once belonged to Marie Antoinette, expected to sell for $30,000-50,000. One of the most famous royal jewellery collections ever to come to auction will be coming to Sotheby’s in Geneva on 12 Nov. 2018. Entitled “Royal Jewels from the Bourbon-Parma Family”, the auction will span centuries of European history, from the reign of Louis XVI to the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and will offer fascinating insights into the splendor of one of Europe’s most important royal dynasties. (Sotheby's Geneva via AP)
A pair of natural pearl drop earrings that once belonged to Marie Antoinette, expected to sell for $30,000-50,000. Sotheby's Geneva via AP

The sale will include jewels from other royal families up to the fall of the Austro-Hungarian empire, all owned by the Bourbon-Parma family.

A parure of 95 diamonds, including five solitaires once in the queen's possession and valued at up to $500,000, will go under the hammer.

An opulent diamond tiara offered by Emperor Franz-Josef to his great-niece the Archduchess Maria Anna of Austria on her marriage in 1902 to Elias of Bourbon, Duke of Parma, has an estimated value of up to $120,000.

This undated handout photo released by Sotheby's Geneva shows a diamond tiara given by Emperor Franz Joseph to his great-niece Marie Anna of Austria, expected to sell for $80,000-120,000. One of the most famous royal jewellery collections ever to come to auction will be coming to Sotheby’s in Geneva on 12 Nov. 2018. Entitled “Royal Jewels from the Bourbon-Parma Family”, the auction will span centuries of European history, from the reign of Louis XVI to the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and will offer fascinating insights into the splendor of one of Europe’s most important royal dynasties. (Sotheby's Geneva via AP)
A diamond tiara given by Emperor Franz Joseph to his great-niece Marie Anna of Austria Sotheby's Geneva via AP

When Louis, Marie Antoinette and their children tried to flee the French Revolution in March 1791, the royal jewels were smuggled out of the country into the trust of a confidant in Brussels.

He sent them on to her nephew the Emperor of Austria who later gave them to Marie Antoinette's only surviving child Marie Therese of France.

"Most of the jewels in the collection were given to Robert I (1848-1907), the last sovereign Duke of Parma and Piacenza, by his mother, Louise of France (1819-1864), grand-daughter of King Charles X of France and great niece of Marie Antoinette," Sotheby's said.

On October 16, 1793, Marie Antoinette was guillotined as the revolutionary Reign of Terror raged. The following month Louis XVI met a similar fate.

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