Queen Ena's Emerald Pendant to Be Sold
Those heading to the Magnificent Jewels (think fashion week for high-jewelry) sale in Geneva next week have the opportunity to take home jewelry once belonging to royalty. Namely: an emerald brooch from the collection of Queen Ena of Spain.
The piece, auctioned off by Christie's Auction House, is an early 20th-century emerald and diamond brooch. It is made in a sugarloaf shape, with oval cabochon emeralds and calibré-cut diamonds set in platinum.
Queen Victoria Eugenie of Spain, who often went by her fourth name, "Ena," had an affinity for emeralds. The great-grandmother of King Felipe VI of Spain acquired her emeralds from her godmother, Eugénie of France. Eugénie came from a family of Spanish aristocrats and married Emperor Napoleon III in 1853. When she was dethroned and exiled to England, she befriended Princess Beatrice (Queen Victoria's youngest daughter), who would become Queen Ena's mother.
When Empress Eugénie died, she left behind a box for Queen Ena containing a fan and nine rectangular emeralds. Ena fashioned these emeralds into a necklace and sometimes wore it as a bandeau-style tiara. They are depicted in several painted and photographic portraits.
During her exile in Switzerland, Queen Ena sold these emeralds. Harry Winston bought some to make an emerald parure for Farah Pahlavi, the wife to the last Shah of Iran. It is unclear, however, if the emeralds within the brooch have any ties to Empress Eugénie. The brooch is expected to sell for between $165,000 and $220,000.
For more information, please visit christies.com.
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