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Romanov sapphire worn at the last great ball of imperial Russia could fetch £1.5m at Sotheby's Geneva auction

Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna, whose sapphire passed through Soviet dispersal sales and opera singer Ganna Walska before reaching Cartier ahead of its November sale.
Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna, whose sapphire passed through Soviet dispersal sales and opera singer Ganna Walska before reaching Cartier ahead of its November sale.

The 197.80-carat unheated Ceylon sapphire is one of the very few surviving Russian Crown Jewels that remains identifiable today, making it among the most historically significant gems ever to reach the open market. Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna wore it at the 1903 Winter Palace Ball — the last great spectacle of imperial Russia — before it passed through Soviet dispersal sales, opera singer Ganna Walska, and ultimately Cartier. The sale takes place on 11 November at the Mandarin Oriental in Geneva.

A Cartier Devonshire black opal tiara, last worn publicly by director Emerald Fennell at the 'Wuthering Heights' premiere, is also expected to fetch up to £998,000.

The tiara was worn by Mary Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire, at Queen Elizabeth II's 1953 coronation, where she served as Mistress of the Robes.

A sapphire, emerald and diamond toi et moi ring formerly owned by socialite Catherine, Lady Walston is also in the sale, tipped to reach up to £454,000.

Morespacemoney.com.brSafira dos Romanov vai a leilão por até £1,5 milhãoThe IndependentOne of few surviving gemstones from Russia's Crown Jewels to be soldThe Independent'Rare' jewel linked to Russia's Romanov dynasty could fetch £1.5mThe IndependentRare Sapphire jewel belonging to Romanovs to go under the hammer - The IndependentEvening StandardRussian crown jewel from Romanov dynasty could fetch £1.5m at auctionYahoo News UK'Rare' sapphire jewel linked to Russia's Romanov dynasty could fetch £1.5m at auctionAOLRomanov crown jewel tipped to sell for up to £1.5m
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