Christie’s presents “Superb Jewels from the Collection of H.S.H. Gabriela Princess zu Leiningen” for sale in Geneva on 18 May 2016. Featuring 46 lots, selected from her unique and important collection, and estimated to realize in excess of US$15 million, her magnificent jewels represent the eye of a passionate jewellery collector, with prestigious signatures such as Cartier, Schlumberger, Boucheron, Tiffany & Co, and Van Cleef & Arpels. They give collectors an exclusive glimpse of the Princess’s world, a colourful active life with beautiful memories.
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- Mystery-set ruby and diamond flower brooch (US$150,000-250-000) and pair of ear clips (US$100,000-150,000), both by Van Cleef & Arpels
THE POHL DIAMOND
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- The Pohl diamond, 36.09 carats
The superb jewels of H.S.H. Gabriela Princess zu Leiningen feature some of the finest gemstones collectors could dream of. The highlight is the 36 carat D color Pohl diamond, illustrated left. Mined in 1934 as a 287 carat rough stone, it was the first major diamond to be polished in America and was sold in 1943 to Bernice Chrysler Garbisch of the Chrysler Family. In 1998 it was acquired for the Princess at Cartier. This famous diamond is offered for an estimate of US$3,800,000-5,500,000.
MAGNIFICENT JEWELS BY CARTIER
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- The Colombian emerald and diamond necklace, by Cartier, the pendant weighing 39.70 carats
More jewels by Cartier include a sensational emerald and diamond necklace suspending a richly coloured Colombian emerald of almost 40 carats, illustrated right (US$2,500,000-3,500,000). Princess Gabriela was photographed on many occasions wearing the necklace and the matching earrings, one of them being at the official dinner preceding the wedding of Prince Felipe of Spain and Letizia Ortiz in Madrid, in 2004.
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- The Burmese sapphire and diamond ear pendants by Cartier, weighing 24.69 and 25.63 carats
Another magnificent parure, also by Cartier, is set with rare Burmese sapphires. The V-shaped necklace suspends a 55 carat cushion-shaped sapphire (US$2,000,000-3,000,000) and is complemented by a pair of ear pendants, with diamond-set star tops and pear-shaped sapphire pendants, each weighing approximately 25 carats (US$600,000-800,000).
THE CULTURED PEARL PARURE
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- The cultured pearl, diamond and yellow diamond fringe necklace, and diamond bangle and pair of earrings by Van Cleef & Arpels
This very elegant cultured pearl and diamond fringe necklace, illustrated left, belonged to H.H. Begum Om Habibeh Aga Khan (1906-2000), the wife of H.H. Sultan Mohammed Shah, Aga Khan III. When it entered the collection of Princess Gabriela, a matching pair of ear pendants and a bangle were commissioned to Van Cleef & Arpels in order to wear them as a complete parure (US$200,000-300,000).
H.S.H. GABRIELA PRINCESS ZU LEININGEN
Born to an entrepreneurial and philanthropic German family, Princess Gabriela, a trained lawyer, has been involved in educational, health and cultural development programs throughout her life.
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- H.S.H. Gabriela Princess zu Leiningen in Myanmar, in 2012
- Image courtesy of Princess Inaara Foundation
In 2004, the Princess founded the Princess Inaara Foundation. This aid organization is committed to supporting projects in both Germany and in developing countries, striving to protect and ameliorate the rights of women and children in need, often through microcredit projects. She campaigns for greater understanding and tolerance across diverse cultures, whilst also being committed to fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and continues to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees for the German AIDS Foundation.
