BROOCH THE BELONGED TO QUEEN VICTORIA SELLS FOR £11,400

A GOLD, ENAMEL AND GARNET BODICE BROOCH FROM 1830 THAT BELONGED TO QUEEN VICTORIA MADE FOURTEEN TIMES ITS PRE-SALE ESTIMATE AT BONHAMS JEWELRY SALE THAT TOOK PLACE YESTERDAY IN KNIGHTSBRIDGE. WITH A PRE-SALE ESTIMATE OF £600–800, THE BROOCH SOLD FOR £11,400. THE FINELY DETAILED BROOCH IS EMBELLISHED WITH GREEN AND RED ENAMEL, SET WITH CABOCHON GARNETS THAT SUSPEND AN ELONGATED DROP OF A SIMILAR DESIGN. THE BROOCH ORIGINALLY BELONGED TO VICTORIA, DUCHESS OF KENT, WHO ON HER DEATH IN 1861 LEFT HER JEWELRY TO HER DAUGHTER, QUEEN VICTORIA. QUEEN VICTORIA SUBSEQUENTLY GAVE THE BROOCH TO HER THIRD DAUGHTER HELENA, PRINCESS CHRISTIAN OF SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN, AS A PRESENT ON HER 24th BIRTHDAY IN 1870. THE REVERSE OF THE BROOCH HAS A SIMPLE, YET VERY PERSONAL ENGRAVING: 'BELONGED TO DEAR GRANDMAMMA V. FROM MAMA V.R. TO HELENA 25th MAY 1870'. ALTHOUGH PRINCESS HELENA MARRIED THE GERMAN PRINCE CHRISTIAN OF SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN IN 1866, THEY REMAINED IN BRITAIN CLOSE TO THE QUEEN, WHO LIKED TO HAVE HER DAUGHTERS NEARBY. HELENA WAS CONSIDERED THE MOST ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE ROYAL FAMILY, CARRYING OUT AN EXTENSIVE PROGRAM OF ROYAL ENGAGEMENTS. SHE WAS ALSO A COMMITTED PATRON OF CHARITIES, AND WAS ONE OF THE FOUNDING MEMBERS OF THE RED CROSS. SHE WAS ALSO THE ORIGINAL PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL SCHOOL OF NEEDLEWORK, AND PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL BRITISH NURSES' ASSOCIATION.

SOTHEBY'S TO SELL EMERALD AND DIAMOND TIARA

DAVID BENNETT, SOTHEBY'S CHAIRMAN OF JEWELRY FOR EUROPE AND THE MIDDLE EAST, TODAY ANNOUNCED THAT SOTHEBY'S WILL SELL THE MOST VALUABLE EMERALD AND DIAMOND TIARA TO HAVE APPEARED AT AUCTION IN OVER 30 YEARS IN ITS SALE OF MAGNIFICENT AND NOBLE JEWELS IN GENEVA ON 17.MAY. ESTIMATED TO SELL FOR A RECORD £3.1-6.2 MILLION, THE HIGHLY IMPORTANT AND EXTREMELY RARE EMERALD AND DIAMOND TIARA IS COMPOSED OF 11 EXCEPTIONALLY RARE COLOMBIAN EMERALD PEAR-SHAPED DROPS WHICH WEIGH OVER 500 CARATS IN TOTAL, WHICH MAY WELL HAVE ORIGINALLY ADORNED THE NECK OF A MAHARAJAH. THE EMERALDS ARE ALSO BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN IN THE PERSONAL COLLECTION OF EMPRESS EUGENIE. THE SUPERB TIARA WAS COMMISSIONED, POSSIBLY FROM THE RENOWNED JEWELERS CHAUMET, BY GUIDO COUNT VON HENCKEL, FIRST PRINCE VON DONNERSMARCK FOR HIS SECOND WIFE PRINCESS KATHARINA. THE JEWELRY COLLECTION OF THE DONNERSCARCKS WAS KNOWN TO BE ON PAR WITH, OR EVEN TO HAVE EXCEEDED, THOSE OF MANY OF THE CROWNED HEADS OF EUROPE.

RARE KING EDWARD VII RIFLE TO BE AUCTIONED IN APRIL

A RIFLE BELONGING TO EDWARD, PRINCE OF WALES, BEFORE HE BECAME KING EDWARD VII WILL BE OFFERED BY GAVIN GARDINER (IN ASSOCIATION WITH SOTHEBY'S) IS A SALE OF FINE MODERN AND VINTAGE SPORTING GUNS AND RIFLES ON 20.APRIL, AT SOTHEBY'S NEW BOND STREET LOCATION. MADE BY FAMOUS LONDON GUNMAKER JAMES PURDEY & SONS, THIS HAMMER RIFLE WAS BUILT IN 1873 FOR THE PRINCE OF WALES (KING EDWARD VII 1901-1911) AND WAS USED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. IT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY TAKEN TO INDIA AND USED DURING THE PRINCE'S VISIT IN 1876. RECORDS STATE THAT HER MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT PLACED AN ORDER WITH PURDEY'S FOR A NUMBER OF RIFLES TO BE PRESENTED AS GIFTS DURING THE VISIT, HOWEVER THIS WAS THE PRINCE'S OWN EXAMPLE AND IS ESTIMATED AT £7,000-9,000. COMMENTING ON THE AUCTION, GAVIN GARDINER SAID: 'I AM DELIGHTED TO BE OFFERING SUCH A HISTORIC RIFLE AT MY FORTHCOMING AUCTION. BUILT IN 1873 FOR EDWARD, PRINCE OF WALES, THE RIFLE WAS GIVEN TO ONE OF HIS FAITHFUL HUSSARS FOLLOWING HIS RECORD TIGER SHOOT ON HIS STATE VISIT TO INDIA IN 1876. UNLIKE MANY OTHER RIFLES PRESENTED ON THIS VISIT AS GIFTS, THIS PARTICULAR RIFLE WAS THE PRINCE'S OWN, THAT HE USED TO GOOD EFFECT, AND WAS GIVEN IN REWARD TO FAITHFUL SERVICE TO A MEMBER OF HIS OWN REGIMENT AT THE END OF THE MONTHS SPORT. IT IS RARE THAT SUCH IMPORTANT AND HISTORIC ITEMS APPEAR AT AUCTION, AND I AM VERY PLEASED TO HAVE DISCOVERED THIS PIECE.' GAVIN GARDINER IS THE ONLY SPECIALIST FIREARMS AUCTIONEER HOLDING HIS AUCTIONS IN THE HEART OF LONDON'S WEST END, WHERE HE HOLDS TWO SALES EACH YEAR AS WELL AS HIS PRESTIGIOUS SALE AT THE GLENEAGLES HOTEL, SCOTLAND IN AUGUST.

SOTHEBY'S SELLS THE LATE DUTCH QUEEN JULIANA'A POSSESSIONS

FROM THREADBARE ARMCHAIRS TO MARBLE MANTEL CLOCKS, GARDEN FURNITURE TO A SILVER POCKET KNIFE, THOUSANDS OF THE LATE DUTCH QUEEN JULIANA'A POSSESSIONS ARE GOING UNDER THE HAMMER IN AN ATTIC SALE FIT FOR A KING. THE FOUR-DAY AUCTION BY SOTHEBY'S STARTED MONDAY AND WAS STIRRING INTEREST AMONG SERIOUS COLLECTORS AS WELL AS DIE-HARD ROYALTY FANS OF THE POPULAR HOUSE OF ORANGE. A TOTAL OF 1,725 LOTS GATHERED FROM SEVEN ROYAL PALACES WERE BEING AUCTIONED WITH THE PROCEEDS GOING TO FOUR CHARITIES, ONE CHOSEN BY EACH OF JULIANA'S FOUR DAUGHTERS. 'IT'S REALLY LIKE A ROYAL ATTIC SALE', AUCTIONEER MARK GROL TOLD THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. 'WITH PAINTINGS TO PRINTS, CERAMICS, SILVER, FURNITURE. JUST BASICALLY EVERYTHING YOU WOULD FIND IN A PALACE.' THE SALE IS INTENDED TO CLEAR OUT UNWANTED BELONGINGS THAT WERE LEFT OVER AFTER JULIANA'S ESTATE WAS DIVIDED AMONG HER DAUGHTERS FOLLOWING HER DEATH IN 2004 AT AGE 94. SOME 10,000 PEOPLE COME ON VIEWING DAYS LAST WEEK AT THE SOTHEBY'S OFFICE IN AMSTERDAM, SHUFFLING THROUGH A MAZE OF OAK TABLES, MAHOGANY AND SATINWOOD CHAIRS, AND GIANT CHANDELIERS. WALLS WERE LINED WITH OIL AND WATERCOLOUR PAINTINGS. TO UNDERSCORE THE ROYAL PROVENANCE, PHOTOS SHOWED SOME OF THE LOTS IN USE AT THE PALACES THEY CAME FROM. ONE PHOTO SHOWED QUEEN JULIANA, HER HUSBAND PRINCE BERNHARD AND THEIR FOUR DAUGHTERS, INCLUDING PRESENT QUEEN BEATRIX, EATING BREAKFAST AT SOESTDIJK PALACE USING A SERVICE BEING AUCTIONED WITH A PRE-SALE ESTIMATE OF $4,185-$5,580. GROL SAID THAT ONLY AFTER THE FIRST 213 LOTS WERE UP FOR GRABS ON MONDAY WOULD THERE WOULD BE AN INDICATION OF HOW FAR OVER THE PRE-SALE MINIMUM ESTIMATE OF ABOUT $2.07 MILLION THE AUCTION WOULD GO. HE SAID INTEREST WAS HIGH NOT JUST FROM THE NETHERLANDS, BUT ALSO FROM THE US, RUSSIA AND CHINA. EARLY BIDDING WAS BRISK, WITH A COMBINATION OF ONLINE, TELEPHONE AND AUCTION ROOM BIDS PUSHING UP THE PRICE OF THE FIRST LOT, A QUINTESSENTIALLY DUTCH WATERCOLOUR OF SKATERS ON A FROZEN WATERWAY BY JAN ANTHONIE LANGENDIJK TO $7,000. THE PRE-SALE ESTIMATE WAS $1,377-$2,066. THOSE IN THE ROOM WERE GIVEN CARDS, ORANGE, OF COURSE, WITH A BIDDER'S NUMBER ON IT. THERE APPEARED TO BE SOME BARGAINS ON OFFER, WITH THE CHEAPEST LOT AN OAK WRITING DESK WITH A PRE-SALE ESTIMATE OF JUST $35-$70. 'SOME ITEMS WILL GO FOR A REASONABLE PRICE, BUT WE HAVE A LOT OF INTEREST BOTH FROM COLLECTORS AND PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BUY A SOUVENIR FROM THE ROYAL FAMILY WHO'S VERY POPULAR IN THE NETHERLANDS', GROL SAID. ROYAL FANS WERE LIKELY BEHIND LIVELY ONLINE BIDDING FOR A PINE BOX WITH 'ZKH PRINS DER NEDERLANDEN STAL SOESTDIJK', MEANING 'HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE OF THE NETHERLANDS SOESTDIJK STABLE' PAINTED ON THE LID. ONE BIDDER WHO DESCRIBED HIMSELF AS A COLLECTOR AND A ROYAL FAN SAID HE HOPED TO BUY SOME ANTIQUE PORCELAIN. 'I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE ROYAL HOUSEHOLD', SAID THE MAN, WHO DECLINED TO GIVE HIS NAME. 'WHERE DO I PUT IT ALL?'

BONHAMS TO SELL BROOCH THAT ONCE BELONGED TO QUEEN VICTORIA

A GOLD, ENAMEL AND GARNET BODICE BROOCH FROM 1830 THAT BELONGED TO QUEEN VICTORIA WILL BE OFFERED IN THE JEWELERY SALE, TAKING PLACE ON 6.APRIL AT BONHAMS KNIGHTSBRIDGE. THE FINELY DETAILED BROOCH IS EMBELLISHED WITH GREEN AND RED ENAMEL, SET WITH CABOCHON GARNETS THAT SUSPEND AN ELONGATED DROP OF A SIMILAR DESIGN. IT IS ESTIMATED TO SELL FOR £600 – 800. THE BROOCH ORIGINALLY BELONGED TO VICTORIA, DUCHESS OF KENT, WHO ON HER DEATH BED IN 1861 (THE SAME YEAR AS THE DEATH OF PRINCE ALBERT) LEFT HER JEWELRY TO HER DAUGHTER, QUEEN VICTORIA. QUEEN VICTORIA SUBSEQUENTLY GAVE THE BROOCH TO HER THIRD DAUGHTER HELENA, PRINCESS CHRISTIAN OF SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN, AS A PRESENT ON HER 24th BIRTHDAY IN 1870. THE REVERSE OF THE BROOCH HAS A SIMPLE, YET VERY PERSONAL ENGRAVING: 'BELONGED TO DEAR GRANDMAMMA V. FROM MAMA V.R. TO HELENA 25th MAY 1870'. ALTHOUGH PRINCESS HELENA MARRIED THE GERMAN PRINCE CHRISTIAN OF SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN IN 1866, THEY REMAINED IN BRITAIN CLOSE TO THE QUEEN, WHO LIKED TO HAVE HER DAUGHTERS NEARBY. HELENA WAS CONSIDERED THE MOST ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE ROYAL FAMILY, CARRYING OUT AN EXTENSIVE PROGRAM OF ROYAL ENGAGEMENTS. SHE WAS ALSO AN ACTIVE PATRON OF CHARITIES, AND WAS ONE OF THE FOUNDING MEMBERS OF THE RED CROSS. SHE WAS ALSO FOUNDING PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL SCHOOL OF NEEDLEWORK, AND PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL BRITISH NURSES' ASSOCIATION.

OFFICIAL ROYAL WEDDING RANGE FOR PRINCE WILLIAM AND CATHERINE MIDDLETON

HRH PRINCE WILLIAM OF WALES AND MISS CATHERINE MIDDLETON HAVE APPROVED THE ROYAL COLLECTION'S RANGE OF CHINA COMMISSIONED TO COMMEMORATE THEIR ROYAL FORTHCOMING MARRIAGE ON 29.APRIL.2011. THE OFFICIAL ROYAL WEDDING RANGE INCLUDES A TANKARD (£35), EIGHT-INCH PLATE (£40) AND PILL BOX (£25) IN ENGLISH FINE BONE CHINA. EACH PIECE BEARS THE COUPLE'S ENTWINED INITIALS IN GOLD AND SILVER SURMOUNTED BY THE CORONET OF PRINCE WILLIAM AND THE WEDDING DATE. THE RANGE IS DECORATED WITH A PATTERN OF DOVES, WHITE RIBBONS AND HEARTS IN SILVER, GOLD AND GREY, SET AGAINST A PALE-GRAY STRIPED BACKGROUND. INSIDE THE TANKARD ARE ROWS OF TINY HEARTS AND TWO SILVER DOVES HOLDING A GOLD WEDDING RING. THE ROYAL WEDDING CHINA IS HANDMADE EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE ROYAL COLLECTION IN STOKE-ON-TRENT USING METHODS THAT HAVE REMAINED UNCHANGED FOR OVER 250 YEARS. EACH ITEM IS INDIVIDUALLY DECORATED AND THEN EMBELLISHED WITH SEVERAL LAYERS OF BURNISHED GOLD AND PLATINUM BEFORE A FINAL LAYER OF GILDING IN 22 CARAT GOLD IS APPLIED BY HAND. ALL PIECES COME IN A PRESENTATION BOX AND ARE WRAPPED IN WHITE TISSUE-PAPER PRINTED WITH DESIGNS INSPIRED BY THE WALL HANGINGS IN CLARENCE HOUSE. THE OFFICIAL ROYAL WEDDING COMMEMORATIVE RANGE CAN BE PURCHASED ONLINE, AND IS ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE ROYAL COLLECTION SHOPS AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE, WINDSOR CASTLE AND THE PALACE OF HOLLYROODHOUSE, AND WILL ALSO BE SOLD AT BALMORAL, HIGHGROVE AND SANDRINGHAM. ALL PROFITS FROM THE SALE OF THE ROYAL WEDDING RANGE ARE DEDICATED TO THE ROYAL COLLECTION TRUST, A REGISTERED CHARITY. THE AIMS OF THE TRUST ARE THE CARE AND CONSERVATION OF THE ROYAL COLLECTION AND THE PROMOTION OF PUBLIC ACCESS AND ENJOYMENT THROUGH EXHIBITION, PUBLICATION, LOANS AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

BONHAMS TO SELL 1955 ASTON MARTIN ONCE OWNED BY KING BAUDOUIN OF BELGIUM

A 1955 ASTON MARTIN DB2/4 SPORTS SALOON, WHICH WAS OWNED BY KING BAUDOUIN OF BELGIUM, WHO REIGNED FROM 1951 UNTIL HIS DEATH IN 1993, IS TO BE SOLD AT BONHAMS' PARIS SALE OF MOTOR CARS AT THE GRAND PALAIS ON 5.FEBRUARY.2011. THE CAR WHICH IS WAS SUPPLIED TO THE KING IN FEBRUARY 1955, HAS ATTRACTED A PRE-SALE ESTIMATE OF $250,000. KING BAUDOUIN WAS RENOWNED FOR HIS LOVE OF FAST CARS, AS WELL AS HAVING THE ASTON MARTIN, DESCRIBED IN AUTOCAR (1953) AS 'AN EXPENSIVE CAR DESIGNED TO CATER FOR THE CONNOISSEUR OF SPORTS CARS WHO IS NOT LIMITED BY FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS', HE ALSO OWNED A PORSCHE SPYDER AND WAS PASSIONATE ABOUT MASERATIS. ACCOMPANIED BY PHOTOGRAPHS OF KING BAUDOUIN WITH HIS BROTHER, THE PRESENT KING ALBERT II, THE CAR IS IN CONCOURS CONDITION FOLLOWING ITS COMPLETE RESTORATION TO ORIGINAL SPECIFICATIONS BETWEEN 2001 AND 2008. A 1956 BENTLEY S1 CONTINENTAL SPORTS SALOON OWNED BY ANOTHER WELL-KNOWN BELGIAN FIGURE, THE FINANCIER, BARON EMPAIN, IS ALSO TO BE OFFERED IN THE SALE. ESTIMATED AT $300,000, THE CAR WAS DELIVERED NEW TO THE BARON IN 1956 AND KEPT UNTIL 1960 WHEN HE SOLD IT TO A FAMILY MEMBER, COUNT D'ARSCHOT.

COLLECTION OF RARE AND HISTORIC CORRESPONDENCE SOLD AT AUCTION IN GENEVA

GENEVA BASED AUCTIONEERS HOTEL DES VENTES SOLD A HIGHLY IMPORTANT AND UNIQUE COLLECTION OF EXTENSIVE CORRESPONDENCE, PHOTOGRAPHS AND DRAWINGS EXCHANGED BETWEEN HIH GRAND DUKE GEORGE ALEXANDROVICH, HIH GRAND DUCHESS XENIA ALEXANDROVNA, HIH GRAND DUKE MIKHAIL ALEXANDROVICH AND HIH GRAND DUCHESS OLGA ALEXANDROVNA AND THEIR PRIVATE TUTOR FERDINAND THORMEYER OF SWITZERLAND. THE AUCTION ROOM WAS OVERCROWDED LEAVING STANDING ROOM ONLY. THE TWO MOST PROMINENT BUYERS WERE SWISS PRIVATE COLLECTORS. RUSSIAN BUYERS WERE ACTIVE BOTH IN THE ROOM AND BY TELEPHONE AS WELL AS A SELECT FEW AMERICAN CLIENTS. THE TOTAL SALE PRICE REACHING 390,000 SWISS FRANCS, THE COLLECTION FETCHED ALMOST FOUR TIMES ITS HIGH ESTIMATE. BERNARD PIGUET, DIRECTOR AND PRINCIPAL AUCTIONEERS OF HOTEL DES VENTES STATES: 'WE ARE DELIGHTED WITH THE SUCCESS OF THIS SALE, WHICH HAS SURPASSED OUR EXPECTATIONS. WE CAN REVEAL THAT ALL THE LOTS HAVE BEEN SOLD WITHOUT EXCEPTION AND FOR AN AMOUNT ALMOST FOUR TIMES THE HIGH ESTIMATE, CLEARLY SHOWING TEH LEVEL OF INTEREST AMONG COLLECTORS FOR THIS HISTORICAL AND UNPUBLISHED CORRESPONDENCE'. THE LOT THAT ACHIEVED THE HIGHEST PRICE IN THE COLLECTION WAS LOT #185, THE 35 LETTERS WRITTEN BY GRAND DUKE MIKHAIL BETWEEN 1902 AND 1911 ESTIMATED AT 5,000-8,000 SOLD FOR 34,000 SWISS FRANCS. CLOSE BEHIND WAS LOT #184, CONSISTING OF 80 LETTERS WRITTEN BY THE GRAND DUKE BETWEEN 1900 AND 1904 ESTIMATED AT 10,000-15,000, SOLD FOR 32,800 SWISS FRANCS. MATCHING THIS WAS THE PRECIOUS ROSE GOLD AND SILVER CIGARETTE CASE LOT #164, PRESENTED BY NICHOLAS II AND HIS BROTHER GRAND DUKE GEORGE TO THEIR TUTOR, ESTIMATED AT 5,000-8,000 AND ALSO SOLD FOR 32,800. THE HIGHEST PRICE FOR A SINGLE PHOTOGRAPH WAS LOT #153, THE FAMILY PORTRAIT OF ALEXANDER III BY LEVITSKY, ESTIMATED AT 400-600 AND FETCHING 6,600 SWISS FRANCS.

SOTHEBY'S TO SELL 1500 LOTS FROM THE ESTATE OF QUEEN JULIANA

IN THE SPRING SOTHEBY'S AMSTERDAM WILL OFFER 1500 LOTS FROM THE ESTATE OF QUEEN JULIANA ON THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE EXECUTORS ON BEHALF OF HER FOUR HEIRS, HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN AND THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES PRINCESS IRENE, PRINCESS MARGRIET AND PRINCESS CHRISTINA. THE TOTAL SUM REALIZED BY THE 1500 LOTS TO BE SOLD WILL GO TO CHARITY AND THE SALE WILL BE AT SOTHEBY'S AMSTERDAM ON 14-17.MARCH.2011. THE REALIZED AMOUNT WILL BE DIVIDED INTO TWO PORTIONS; THE FIRST PART WILL BE DONATED TO THE RED CROSS, CHOSEN BY THE FOUR HEIRS BECAUSE OF THE LONG TERM INVOLVEMENT OF QUEEN JULIANA IN ITS WORK. THE REMAINING PORTION WILL BE DIVIDED INTO FOUR EQUAL PARTS; THE PRINCESS BEATRIX FUND WHICH IS THE CHOICE OF QUEEN BEATRIX, PRINCESS IRENE CHOSE THE NETUURCOLLEGE, PRINCESS MARGRIET CHOSE THE RED CROSS AND THE PRINCESS CHRISTINA CONCOURS WAS CHOSEN BY PRINCESS CHRISTINA. WHILE MOST OF THE ITEMS ON SALE, WHICH INCLUDES FURNITURE, PORCELAIN, GLASS, SILVER, PAINTINGS AND SOME DRAWINGS, COME FROM THE PALACE SOESTDIJK WHERE QUEEN JULIANA LIVED FOR ALL HER MARRIED LIFE, SOME OF THE FURNITURE WAS IN THE STORES OR ATTICS AT OTHER ROYAL PALACES, AND MANY OF THE DRAWINGS AND PRINTS WERE HELD IN THE ROYAL ARCHIVE. FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF QUEEN JULIANA AN EXHAUSTIVE PROCESS OF CONSULTATION FOLLOWED. OFFICIAL GIFTS FROM THE ESTATE WERE TRANSFERRED TO VARIOUS FOUNDATIONS OF THE ROYAL HOUSE OF ORANGE-NASSUA AND NATIONAL MUSEUMS. AFTER THE EXHAUSTIVE PROCESS, WHICH HAS TAKEN OVER SIX YEARS, IT BECAME CLEAR THAT THERE WAS A CONSIDERABLE VOLUME OF FURNITURE, PAINTINGS, PORCELAIN AND SILVER WHICH WAS BEYOND ANY REQUIREMENTS. THE HEIRS DECIDED THAT THE RESIDUAL PROPERTY SHOULD BE SOLD FOR CHARITY AND WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE SALE AT SOTHEBY'S AMSTERDAM. THE AUCTION WILL BE A REMARKABLE AND CERTAINLY UNIQUE EVENT. THE PROPERTY TO BE SOLD WAS ONLY IN PART ACQUIRED BY QUEEN JULIANA AND PRINCE BERNHARD, WHILE THE LARGER PART HAD BEEN ACCUMULATED OVER THE LAST ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS, HAVING BEEN PASSED BY INHERITANCE TO QUEEN JULIANA FROM KING WILLEM I, II AND III, QUEEN EMMA AND QUEEN WILHELMINA. THE INVENTORY MARKS AND LABELS ON MANY OF THE PIECES SHOW THAT OVER THE GENERATIONS THEY WERE USED IN FOURTEEN DIFFERENT PALACES AND ROYAL RESIDENCES THROUGHOUT THE NETHERLANDS. SOTHEBY'S WILL DONATE THE PROFITS FROM THE SALE OF THE CATALOG TO THE SAME FOUR CHARITIES THAT HAVE BEEN CHOSEN BY THE HEIRS. THE CATALOG, WHICH WILL BE A PERMANENT RECORD OF THE MEMORABLE ROYAL EVENT, IS NOW BEING PREPARED AND WILL BE AVAILABLE IN FEBRUARY. IT WILL BE VERY DETAILED WITH ALL THE 1500 LOTS ILLUSTRATED IN COLOUR. ALSO, WHEREVER IT IS POSSIBLE, LINKS WILL BE MADE BETWEEN THE INDIVIDUAL LOTS, THE MONARCHS WHO OWNED THEM AND THE MANY ROYAL PALACES AND RESIDENCES WHERE THEY WERE USED OVER THE GENERATIONS.

SOTHEBY'S SELLS DUCHESS OF WINDSOR JEWEL COLLECTION

TONIGHT AT SOTHEBY'S, A GROUP OF 20 EXCEPTIONAL JEWELS AND PRECIOUS OBJECTS FORMERLY IN THE COLLECTION OF THE DUCHESS OF WINDSOR WERE PRESENTED FOR SALE, SOME 23 YEARS AFTER THEY WERE LAST AUCTIONED IN THE LEGENDARY AUCTION OF 'JEWELS OF THE DUCHESS OF WINDSOR', STILL THE MOST VALUABLE SINGLE-OWNER JEWELRY COLLECTION EVER SOLD. THE 20 PIECES, WHICH WERE ANNOUNCED FOR SALE BACK IN JULY OF THIS YEAR AND HAVE SINCE TRAVELED TO ASIA, THE MIDDLE EAST, RUSSIA AND THE US AND WHICH ALSO INCLUDE SOME SIGNATURE PIECES FROM THE 1987 SALE, BROUGHT A TOTAL OF £7,975,550, A FIGURE WELL IN EXCESS OF PRE-SALE EXPECTATIONS OF £2,906,000-4,211,000. IN 1987 THE 20 PIECES HAD BEEN ESTIMATED TO SELL FOR £197,531-268,189. SPEAKING AFTER THE SALE, DAVID BENNETT, CHAIRMAN OF SOTHEBY'S JEWELRY IN EUROPE AND THE MIDDLE EAST, SAID: 'IT HAS BEEN AN IMMENSE PLEASURE TO BRING ONCE AGAIN TO SALE THESE JEWELS WORN BY A WOMAN WHO WAS A LEADER OF FASHION AND THE EPITOME OF ELEGANCE AND SOPHISTICATION FOR HER GENERATION AND BEYOND. THE COLLECTION COMPRISED NOT ONLY MASTERPIECES OF 20th CENTURY JEWELRY BY CARTIER, BUT ALSO PIECES WHOSE INTIMATE INSCRIPTIONS TELL THE STORY OF PERHAPS THE GREATEST LOVE STORY OF THE 20th CENTURY, THE ROMANCE THAT LED EDWARD VIII TO ABDICATE THE THRONE OF GREAT BRITAIN. WHEREVER WE HAVE EXHIBITED THE JEWELS IN RECENT MONTHS, WHETHER IT BE MOSCOW, NEW YORK, HONG KONG OR THE MIDDLE EAST, THE RESPONSE HAS BEEN EXTRAORDINARY; AND THE WINDSOR COLLECTION HAS BEEN INTRODUCED TO A NEW AUDIENCE OF BUYERS. BY FAR AND AWAY THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE SALE WAS LOT #19, THE ONYX AND DIAMOND PANTHER BRACELET BY CARTIER, PARIS IN 1952, WHICH SOLD FOR £4,521,250, MORE THAN DOUBLE THE PRE-SALE ESTIMATE OF £1-1.5 MILLION. THE PRICE ESTABLISHES A NEW RECORD FOR CARTIER AT AUCTION AND ALSO FOR ANY BRACELET AT AUCTION. THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF THE EVENING WAS FOR LOT #20, THE RUBY, SAPPHIRE, EMERALD, CITRINE AND DIAMOND FLAMINGO CLIP, MOUNTED BY CARTIER, PARIS, 1940, CREATED BY JEANNE TOUSSAINT FOR CARTIER. ESTIMATED AT £1-1.5 MILLION, THE SPECTACULAR BROOCH WAS PURCHASED BY COLLECTION CARTIER FOR £1,721,250. AND, LOT #17, THE DIAMOND BRACELET BY CARTIER WHICH SUPPORTS NINE GEM-SET LATIN CROSSES, EACH REPRESENTING SPECIAL MOMENTS OF THE DUCHESS'S LIFE DURING THE YEARS 1934-44, A JEWEL OF GREAT PERSONAL SIGNIFICANCE AND ONE OF HER FAVORITE PIECES, BROUGHT £601,250 AGAINST AN ESTIMATE OF £350,000-450,000.

PRINCE PHILIP TO SCALE BACK ON ROYAL DUTIES

THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH IS TO STEP DOWN FROM UP TO 20 OF HIS MOST DEMANDING ROLES NEXT YEAR, THE FIRST TIME HE HAS CONSIDERED CUTTING BACK ON HIS RESPONSIBILITIES. HE WILL GIVE UP CHANCELLORSHIPS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH, HELD SINCE 1952, AND THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE, HELD SINCE 1976, AFTER HIS BIRTHDAY ON 10.JUNE NEXT YEAR, BUCKINGHAM PALACE SAID IN A RECENT STATEMENT. OTHER ROLES HE WILL RELINQUISH INCLUDE HIS PATRONAGE OF UK ATHLETES, CITY AND GUILDS OF LONDON INSTITUTE AND THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF THE COMMONWEALTH. BUT HE WILL KEEP UP A BUSY SCHEDULE OF CEREMONIES AND EVENTS, AND REMAIN PATRON OR PRESIDENT OF MORE THAN 800 OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD. THE PRINCE SUFFERED A SERIOUS CHEST INFECTION IN 2008 AND HAD AN OPERATION ON HIS HAND EARLIER THIS YEAR, BUT AIDES STRESSED THE MOVE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HIS CURRENT HEALTH. TODAY HE IS ACCOMPANYING THE QUEEN TO OPEN A NEW SESSION OF THE GENERAL SYNOD AT WESTMINSTER ABBEY BEFORE THE PAIR FLY OUT TOMORROW FOR A TOUR OF THE GULF WITH PRINCE ANDREW. THE QUEEN, WHO TURNS 85 IN APRIL NEXT YEAR, HAS NO PLANS TO CUT BACK HER ROYAL DUTIES. A BUCKINGHAM PALACE SPOKESMAN SAID LAST NIGHT: 'PRINCE PHILIP WILL BE 90 NEXT YEAR AND HE FEELS HE SHOULD EASE DOWN ON HIS COMMITMENTS. HE WILL STILL BE ASSOCIATED WITH OVER 800 ORGANIZATIONS. HE IS 25 YEARS PAST RETIREMENT AGE AND WORKS INCREDIBLY HARD. THE QUEEN HAS NO PLANS TO REDUCE HER ENGAGEMENTS. SHE IS ONLY 84 AFTER ALL.' PHILIP HAS BEEN CARRYING OUT ROYAL DUTIES FOR 63 YEARS SINCE MARRYING THE QUEEN IN 1947. LAST YEAR HE FULFILLED 326 ENGAGEMENTS, A NUMBER BEATEN ONLY BY HIS WIFE, PRINCE CHARLES AND PRINCESS ANNE.

ART GALLERY OF ONTARIO PRESENTS 'MAHARAJAH: THE SPLENDOR OF INDIA'S ROYAL COURTS'

THE SPLENDOR, LUXURY AND LEGACY OF INDIA'S GREATEST KINGS IS BEING EXPERIENCES BY VISITORS TO THE ART GALLERY OF ONTARIO, TORONTO, WITH 'MAHARAJAH: THE SPLENDOR OF INDIA'S ROYAL COURTS'. THE CANADIAN EXCLUSIVE, ORGANIZED BY LONDON'S VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM, FEATURES OVER 200 STUNNING WORKS SPANNING THREE CENTURIES OF HISTORY AND WILL BE ON VIEW AT THE AGO UNTIL 3.APRIL.2011. THE EXHIBITION HAS RECEIVED MORE SUPPORT FROM THE CORPORATE COMMUNITY THAN ANY OTHER EXHIBITION IN THE GALLERY'S 110 YEAR HISTORY, RESULTING IN THE UNPRECEDENTED OFFER OF FREE ADMISSION TO VISITORS 25 AND UNDER FOR THE RUN OF THE EXHIBITION. THE 'FREE FOR 25 AND UNDER' OFFER IS GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY THE PATRONS OF THE EXHIBITION: FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LTD, THE GLOBE MAIL, ROGERS COMMUNICATIONS INC AND SCOTIABANK GROUP. AMONG THE 200 OBJECTS ON VIEW IS THE SAFFRON-COLOURED 1934 ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM II, CUSTOM BUILT FOR HIS HIGHNESS THAKORE SAHIB DHARMENDRASINHJI LAKHAJIRAJ OF RAJKOT, ON LOAN FROM HIS GREAT GRANDSON HIS EXCELLENCY YS MANHATASINHJI OF RAJKOT. ALSO ON VIEW IS THE STUNNING PATIALA NECKLACE, THE LARGEST SINGLE COMMISSION IN THE HOUSE OF CARTIER'S HISTORY. COMPLETED IN 1928 AND RESTORED IN 2002, THE PIECE OF CEREMONIAL JEWELRY ORIGINALLY CONTAINED 2,930 DIAMONDS AND WEIGHED NEARLY 1,000 CARATS. OTHER KEY WORKS IN THE SHOW INCLUDE: THE FAMED THRONE ONCE BELONGED TO MAHARAJAH RANJIT SINGH; A LIFE-SIZED MODEL ELEPHANT ADORNED WITH TEXTILES AND TRAPPINGS AND ACCOMPANIED BY A SILVER HOWDAH FROM THE EARLY 19th CENTURY; A SILVER CARRIAGE COMMISSIONED BY THE MAHARAJAH OF BHAVNAGAR; PAINTINGS OF SPECTACULAR ROYAL PROCESSIONS; ROYAL COSTUMES AND TRADITIONAL DRESS WORN BY GREAT KINGS AND QUEENS; CEREMONIAL WEAPONS INCLUDING DAGGERS, SWORDS AND A MATCHLOCK GUN; AND PRIZED PHOTOGRAPHS BY CELEBRATED ARTISTS SUCH AS MAN RAY AND CECIL BEATON.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT www.ago.ne

GRAND RAPIDS ART MUSEUM PRESENTS 'DIANA: A CELABRATION'

THE GRAND RAPIDS ART MUSEUM (GRAM) PRESENTS THE 'DIANA: A CELEBRATION' EXHIBITION AS PART OF ITS 100th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION. THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN UNTIL 6.FEB.2011. ESTABLISHED IN 1910 BY THE CITY FEDERATION OF WOMEN'S CLUBS, THE GRAND RAPIDS ART MUSEUM HAS SERVED THE REGION BY PRESENTING ORIGINAL, AUTHENTIC WORKS OF ART. PAST GRAM EXHIBITION HAVE INCLUDED SCULPTURE OFF THE PEDESTAL, PERUGINO, MASTER OF THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE AND MATHIAS ALTEN: JOURNEY OF AN AMERICAN PAINTER. IN 2009, TO COMMEMORATE THE 40th ANNIVERSARY OF THE INSTALLATION OF LA GRANDE VITESSE IN IN DOWNTOWN GRAND RAPIDS, GRAM OPENED THE CALDER IN THE COLLECTION EXHIBITION TO DISPLAY THE MUSEUM'S PERMANENT AND PLEDGED COLLECTION OF CALDER WORKS. MORE THAN A DECADE AFTER HER DEATH, PRINCESS DIANA'S MEMORY STILL STIRS INTEREST AND EMOTION. THE EXHIBITION DIANA, A CELEBRATION PRESENTS THE LIFE AND HUMANITARIAN WORK OF ONE OF THE 20th CENTURY'S MOST REMARKABLE WOMEN THROUGH NINE GALLERIES CONTAINING OVER 150 OBJECTS, RANGING FROM HER ROYAL WEDDING GOWN AND 28 OF HER DESIGNER DRESSES TO FAMILY HEIRLOOMS, PERSONAL MEMENTOS, PAINTINGS AND RARE HOME MOVIES AND PHOTOS. THE EXHIBITION IS ON LOAN FROM THE ALTHORP ESTATE, THE SPENCER FAMILY'S 500 YEAR OLD ANCESTRAL HOME. THE SERIES OF STUNNING OBJECTS CHRONICLES HER LIFE AND INVITE THE VISITOR TO SHARE THE MILESTONES OF HER MANY ROLES: AS A YOUNGSTER, SCHOOLGIRL AND ATHLETE; AS THE SHY KINDERGARTEN TEACHER WHO CAPTURED THE HEART OF THE PRINCE AND THE PUBLIC; AS THE YOUNG, RAVISHING ROYAL BRIDE; AS THE DEVOTED MOTHER, SISTER AND DAUGHTER; AND AS THE TIRELESS CHARITY ADVOCATE AND SPOKESWOMAN. THE STRENGTH OF THE SPENCER WOMEN AND THEIR ROOTS IN THE BUCOLIC 500 YEAR OLD ALTHORP ESTATE FORM THE BACKDROP FOR DIANA'S FORMATIVE YEARS. ALSO FEATURED IN THE EXHIBITION ARE PORTRAITS OF HER ANCESTORS, FAMILY JEWELS, HEIRLOOMS, PAINTINGS, ARTIFACTS AND PHOTOS, WHICH PROVIDE THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT. HOME MOVIES FILMED BY HER FATHER AND SCENES FROM HER CHILDHOOD, HER ENGAGEMENT TO PRINCE CHARLES AND THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE ROYAL WEDDING ARE REMEMBERED.

CHRISTIE'S TO SELL RARE DEPICTION OF 'LOST' PALACE

CHRISTIE'S ANNOUNCED RECENTLY THAT THEY WILL BE OFFERING AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE AND BEAUTIFUL DEPICTION OF THE 'LOST' PALACE OF NONSUCH AT THE AUCTION OF OLD MASTERS AND 19th CENTURY ART ON 7.DECEMBER. COMMISSIONED BY KING HENRY VIII IN ORDER TO OUTSHINE THE GREAT PALACES BUILT BY HIS RIVAL KING FRANCOIS I OF FRANCE, THE BUILDING OF NONSUCH PALACE BEGAN IN 1538 AND TOOK 8 YEARS TO COMPLETE. IT STOOD FOR LESS THAN 150 YEARS HAVING FALLEN INTO DESPAIR IN THE 1680s. THE EARLIEST AND MOST IMPORTANT CONTEMPORARY DEPICTION OF BRITAIN'S MOST AMBITIOUS RENAISSANCE COMMISSION, THE PRESENT DRAWING IS AN EXTREMELY VALUABLE RECORD OF THE 'LOST PALACE AND HAS BEN SEEN IN PUBLIC ONLY TWICE BEFORE; AT SUTTON PLACE IN 1983 AND AT THE NATIONAL GALLERY, WASHINGTON, IN 1986. DESCRIBED AS 'THE ONLY SURVIVING IMPRESSION OF WHAT NONSUCH REALLY LOOKED LIKE', IT IS EXPECTED TO REALIZE £800,000 TO £1,200,000. THE STUNNING WATERCOLOUR WAS EXECUTED BY JORIS HOEFNAGEL WHO PROVIDED THE ILLUSTRATIONS FOR CIVITATES ORBIS TERRARUM, AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT RECORD OF ALL MOST IMPORTANT BUILDINGS AND CITYSCAPES IN EUROPE FIRST PUBLISHED IN 1572. ALMOST ALL OF THE 546 DRAWINGS MADE FOR THE BOOK ARE NOW IN PUBLIC COLLECTIONS, WITH THE MAJORITY, MORE THAN 60, IN THE NATIONAL MUSEUM IN VIENNA. HOEFNAGEL EXECUTED THE PRESENT WORK IN SITU AT NONSUCH AND USED IT TO CREATE A LATER, LESS DETAILED DEPICTION THAT WAS USED FOR THE ENGRAVING. THE LATER VERSION IS NOW IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM. THE PRESENT WORK WAS ACQUIRED IN THE MID-19th CENTURY BY SIR ALFRED MORRISON OF FONTHILL, ONE OF THE MOST CELEBRATED BRITISH COLLECTORS OF THE LATE 19th CENTURY, AND HAS SINCE PASSED BY DESCENT.
THE CONSTRUCTION OF NONSUCH BEGAN ON 23.APRIL.1538, THE THIRTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF HENRY VIIIs ACCESSION TO THE THRONE, ON THE SITE OF TE VILLAGE OF CUDDINGTON, NEAR EWELL, SURRY. THE PALACE'S PRIMARY FUNCTION WAS TO SERVE AS A HUNTING LODGE; MORE IMPORTANTLY IT WAS CONCEIVED AS A VISUAL EXPRESSION OF TUDOR SUPREMACY BOTH TEMPORAL AND SPIRITUAL, A CELEBRATION OF THE BIRTH OF HENRY'S FIRST LEGITIMATE SON (THE FUTURE EDWARD VI) ON 12.OCTOBER.1537 AND, IN FLATTENING THE PARISH CHURCH OF CUDDINGTON, IT LITERALLY DEMONSTRATED HENRY'S NEW DOMINANCE AS HEAD OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND. MOST IMPORTANTLY, IT WAS PROOF THAT HENRY WAS EQUAL TO THE ARCHITECTURAL ACHIEVEMENTS OF FRANCOIS I OF FRANCE. IT WAS NAMED 'NONSUCH' AS NO OTHER PALACE COULD EQUAL ITS MAGNIFICENCE. STILL INCOMPLETE WHEN HENRY VIII DIED IN 1547, NONSUCH WAS SOLD TO HENRY FITZALAN EARL OF ARUNDEL, BY MARY I IN 1557. IT RETURNED TO ROYAL HANDS IN 1592, WHEN ARUNDEL'S HEIR LORD LUMLEY GAVE IT TO ELIZABETH I IN SETTLEMENT OF A DEBT. IT WAS EVENTUALLY GRANTED BY CHARLES II TO BARBARA VILLIERS, COUNTESS OF CASTLEMAINE, IN 1670, WHEN SHE WAS CREATED BARONESS OF NONSUCH, COUNTESS OF SOUTHAMPTON AND DUCHESS OF CLEVELAND. IN LATE 1682 SHE TOOK THE STEP OF BEGINNING TO DISMANTLE THE INNER COURT, AS MERELY THE FIRST STAGE OF AN ORDERED DEMOLITION WHICH ENABLED HER TO SELL THE RAW MATERIALS FOR MONEY WITH WHICH TO PAY OFF HER GAMBLING DEBTS. BY 1690 THE PALACE WAS ALL BUT GONE, AND FOR ALMOST FOUR HUNDRED YEARS ITS FABULOUS APPEARANCE WAS ONLY KNOWN THROUGH WRITTEN RECORDS AND THE FEW KNOWN VISUAL REPRESENTATIONS.

BONHANS SELLS GEM-ENCRUSTED GOLD FINIAL £434,400

A SECOND GEM-ENCRUSTED GOLD FINIAL FROM THE OCTAGONAL GOLDEN THRONE OF TIPU SULTAN, THE TIGER OF MYSORE, WAS SOLD AT BONHAMS NEW BOND STREET RECENTLY IN THE INDIAN AND ISLAMIC SALE FOR £434,400. THIS IS THE SECOND SUCH FINIAL TO PASS THROUGH BONHAMS IN THE PAST 18 MONTHS. TE FIRST FINIAL SOLD FOR £389,600 ON 2.APRIL 2009. BOTH WERE AT BONHAMS RECENTLY, REUNITING TWO PARTS OF THE FABLED THRONE AFTER 200 YEARS, AND OFFERING TIPU SCHOLARS AN EXTRAORDINARY OPPORTUNITY TO APPRECIATE THE WORKMANSHIP OF THE HISTORIC OBJECTS. THE FINIALS WARE AMONG THE MOST IMPORTANT ITEMS EVER TO APPEAR AT AUCTION. THE ONE THAT SOLD RECENTLY WAS IN THE POSSESSION OF THE SAME SCOTTISH FAMILY FOR THE PAST 200 YEARS COMING DOWN TO THE PRESENT OWNER BY DIRECT DESCENT. THE FIRST FINIAL SOLD AT BONHAMS HAD LAIN IN AN ENGLISH CASTLE, FOR AT LEST 100 YEARS AND THEN PUT IN A BANK VAULT, UNKNOWN TO TIPU ENTHUSIASTS AND SCHOLARS. IT WAS DISCOVERED BY BONHAMS ISLAMIC DEPARTMENT ON A ROUTINE VALUATION. ALTHOUGH SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ITEMS FROM TIPU SULTAN'S PALACE WERE RESERVED FOR THE BRITISH ROYAL FAMILY, THE FAMOUS GOLDEN THRONE WAS BROKEN UP SO THAT THE ELEMENTS COULD BE SHARED. MUCH TO THE DISAPPROVAL OF THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL, LORD WELLESLEY (LATER THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON). THE THRONE WAS BROKEN UP SO QUICKLY FOLLOWING THE FALL OF SERINGAPATAM THAT LITTLE IS KNOWN ABOUT THE FATE OF THE REMAINING THRONE RELICS; HOWEVER, A LARGE GOLD TIGER HEAD FROM THE FRONT OF THE THRONE PLATFORM NOW RESIDES AT WINDSOR CASTLE ALONG WITH A JEWELED BIRD WHICH WAS PRESENTED TO QUEEN CHARLOTTE THE WIFE OF GEORGE III. ANOTHER SURVIVING FINIAL CAN BE FOUND AT POWIS CASTLE, ACQUIRED BY THE SECOND LADY CLIVE IN INDIA.

BONHAMS TO SELL RARE IMPERIAL RUSSIAN TABLE

A STRIKING, CIRCULAR TABLE ORIGINALLY PLACED IN THE GOLDEN DRAWING ROOM IN THE WINTER PALACE, THE MAIN RESIDENCE OF THE RUSSIAN IMPERIAL FAMILY IN ST PETERSBURG, WILL BE SOLD IN THE RUSSIAN SALE AT BONHAMS NEW BOND STREET ON 1.DECEMBER. ESTIMATED AT £150,000 - £200,000, THE INTRICATE DESIGN AND RANGE OF MATERIALS, FROM CORAL TO ONYX AND TURQUOISE, REFLECTS THE LEGENDARY OPULENCE OF THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE. THE TABLE WAS ORIGINALLY COMMISSIONED AS A GIFT FOR THE EMPRESS ALEXANDRA, THE WIFE OF TSAR NICHOLAS I AND THE TABLE BECAME PART OF THE ORIGINAL FURNISHINGS OF THE IMPERIAL WINTER PALACE. THE TABLE WAS THEN PLACED WITHIN THE GOLDEN DRAWING ROOM, WHICH WAS USED BY THE FUTURE EMPRESS MARIA ALEXSANDROVNA, AND WAS RENOWNED AS THE MOST LAVISHLY DECORATED ROOM IN HER PERSONAL SUITE. THE GOLDEN DRAWING ROOM WAS USED FOR PRIVATE RECEPTIONS AND CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS FOR THE IMPERIAL FAMILY. THE STORMING OF THE WINTER PALACE BECAME AN ICONIC SYMBOL OF THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION. IN THE LATE 1920s MANY PRIVATE ROOMS OF THE IMPERIAL FAMILY WERE STRIPPED OF THEIR ORIGINAL FURNISHINGS AND ANYTHING ELSE THAT MIGHT REMIND THE PUBLIC ABOUT RUSSIA'S IMPERIAL PAST. MOST OF THE FURNISHINGS, INCLUDING THE TABLE, WERE SOLD THROUGH ANTIKVARIAT, WHICH WAS A STATE-RUN COMMISSION SHOP THAT CATERED TO FOREIGNERS AND DIPLOMATS. THE TABLE ULTIMATELY ENDED UP IN GERMANY. TODAY THE GOLDEN DRAWING ROOM IN THE WINTER PALACE HOUSES PART OF THE HERMITAGE MUSEUM COLLECTION. THOUGH THE ROOM HAS RETAINED ITS ORIGINAL DECOR, FEW OF ITS ORIGINAL FURNISHINGS HAVE SURVIVED. A SPOKESPERSON FOR BONHAMS SAID: 'ITEMS FROM FORMER RUSSIAN IMPERIAL PALACES ARE INCREDIBLY RARE, AND A FEW COME WITH SUCH REMARKABLY DOCUMENTED PROVENANCE. THIS TABLE IS AN EXCEPTIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR INTERNATIONAL COLLECTORS TO NOT ONLY ACQUIRE A RUSSIAN DECORATIVE MASTERPIECE, BUT TO PROCURE THEIR VERY OWN PIECE OF RUSSIAN HISTORY.'

GUERNSEY'S TO SELL PRINCESS DIANA SWAN LAKE SUITE

GUERNSEY'S AUCTION HOUSE HAS ANNOUNCED THE HISTORIC ADDITION OF THE MAGNIFICENT SWAN LAKE SUITE, INCLUDING A DIAMOND NECKLACE WORN BY PRINCESS DIANA ON HER LAST OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENT. FORMALLY KNOWN AS THE 'DIANA, PRINCESS OF WALES SWAN LAKE SUITE', THE STUNNING DIAMOND AND PEARL NECKLACE IS THE ONLY KNOWN PIECE OF JEWELRY WORN BY DIANA THAT IS EVER LIKELY TO BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE. THE NECKLACE IS COMPOSED OF 214 DIAMONDS AND SEVEN SOUTH SEAS PEARLS, ALL SET IN PLATINUM, DESIGNED WITH INPUT FROM PRINCESS DIANA, BY THE DISTINGUISHED ENGLISH FIRM, GARRARD, THE CROWN JEWELERS. THE PRINCESS WORE THE NECKLACE 3.JUNE.1997 TO THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL BALLET. FOLLOWING THE BALLET, SHE RETURNED THE JEWELS TO GARRARD SO EARRINGS COULD BE MADE TO COMPLEMENT THE NECKLACE. THE EARRINGS WERE COMPLETED DURING THE SUMMER OF 1997, ONLY SHORTLY BEFORE HER TRAGIC DEATH. PRINCESS DIANA'S SWAN LAKE SUITE WILL BE AMONG OTHER RARE AND MEANINGFUL ITEMS FEATURED IN THE ICONIC OBJECTS AUCTION, PRESENTED BY GUERNSEY'S 24.SEPTEMBER AT NEW YORK'S PARK AVENUE ARMORY.

VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM PRESENTS 'GRACE KELLY: STYLE ICON'

YOU'D BETTER HURRY IF YOU WANT TO SEE THE HATS, SHOES, DRESSES AND IMMACULATE GLOVES THAT WERE AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT OF THE STYLE WHICH MADE GRACE KELLY A FASHION BEACON FOR MILLIONS OF WOMEN AROUND THE WORLD. THE 'GRACE KELLY: STYLE ICON' EXHIBITION AT LONDON'S VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM WILL BE CLOSING ITS DOORS IN SEPTEMBER, SO THERE ARE ONLY A FEW WEEKS LEFT TO SEE THE CLOTHES, MEMENTOS AND VIDEOS WHICH REPLAY THE LIFE OF HOLLYWOOD ROYALTY TURNED REAL-LIFE PRINCESS. SET IN THE MUSEUM'S FASHION SECTION, THE SHOW HOLDS MORE THAN 35 OF KELLY'S OUTFITS MADE BY FAMOUS DESIGNERS SUCH AS EDITH HEAD, HELEN ROSE, YVES SAINT LAURENT AND MANY OF KELLY'S PERSONAL FAVORITE, CHRISTIAN DIOR. BALL GOWNS IN SILK CHIFFON BY DIOR AND TRAVEL SUITS IN WOOL BY COCO CHANEL ARE MATCHED WITH FILM POSTERS FROM OLD MOVIES SUCH AS 'TO CATCH A THIEF'. PICTURES AND MAGAZINE COVERS DEPICT KELLY STARRING IN FILMS ALONGSIDE THE TOP LEADING MEN OF THE DAY LIKE CARY GRANT, BING CROSBY OR CLARK GABLE, AND WINNING AN ACADEMY AWARD AND FLOATING UP ON THE RED CARPET. EACH GARMENT IS PLACED IN CATEGORIES SUCH AS EVENING WEAR OR TRAVEL SUITS IN GROUPS IN GLASS CASES, COMPLETE WITH PICTURES OF KELLY WEARING THE ITEM AND A FULL ANALYSIS INCLUDING DESIGNER DETAILS, DATE AND FABRIC. SOME CASES HIGHLIGHT KELLY'S ACCESSORIES, INCLUDING ONE WITH THE STILL SOUGHT-AFTER 'KELLY' BAG MADE FROM LUXURY RETAILER HERMES. OTHER ACCESSORIES INCLUDE SILK CLUTCHES, BAGS MADE WITH CROCODILE SKIN, A COLLECTION OF KELLY'S SUNGLASSES AND SOME OF HER SIGNATURE HATS, INCLUDING THOSE WORN TO THE GLAMOROUS FANCY DRESS BALLS SHE AND RAINIER THREW IN THE HEYDAYS OF MONACO'S POPULARITY DURING THE 1960s AND 70s. A PLATINUM AND DIAMOND TIARA IS THE TOP HIGHLIGHT IN A CASE FULL OF KELLY'S JEWELRY, WHICH ALSO INCLUDES BROOCHES AND RINGS FESTOONED WITH DIAMONDS, RUBIES, EMERALDS AND SAPPHIRES.

TSAR NICHOLAS II ROLLS-ROYCE TO BE AUCTIONED

A UNIQUE ROYAL PURPLE 1914 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER GHOST THAT IS REPUTED TO HAVE ONCE BELONGED TO NICHOLAS II, THE LAST TSAR OF RUSSIA, IS BEING OFFERED FOR SALE IN GERMANY VIA GLOBAL ONLINE LUXURY MARKETPLACE JAMESLIST FOR AN ESTIMATED $7 MILLION. IN THE 1920s THE CUSTOM-MADE CAR, WHICH FEATURES NICKEL PLATED FITTINGS, A SPEAKING TUBE FOR COMMUNICATING WITH THE CHAUFFEUR AND COACHWORK BY BARKER, FOUND ITS WAY INTO THE COLLECTION OF CIRCUS IMPRESARIO JOHN RINGLING OF RINGLING BROS AT CA D'ZAN, HIS FAMOUS 30 ROOM VENETIAN MANSION IN SARASOTA, FLORIDA. AFTER BEING DISPLAYED IN A CLASSIC CAR MUSEUM NEXT TO HITLER'S MERCEDES FOR A BRIEF TIME, IT WAS THEN ACQUIRED BY A GERMAN COLLECTOR WHO KEPT IT IN AN UNDERGROUND BUNKER FOR WHICH IT WAS RECENTLY UNEARTHED. THE NEARLY CENTURY-OLD ROLLS, MADE JUST 10 YEARS AFTER HENRY ROYCE BUILT HIS VERY FIRST CAR, OFFERS NOT ONLY A ROYAL PEDIGREE BUT IS AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF AUTOMOTIVE HISTORY.

SWEDEN CELEBRATES TEH WEDDING OF CROWN PRINCESS VICTORIA

SWEDEN HOSTED THE BIGGEST AND MOST STUNNING WEDDING SINCE THAT OF PRINCE CHARLES AND LADY DIANA SPENCER, WHEN CROWN PRINCESS VICTORIA MARRIED DANIEL WESTLING. THE MARRIAGE, A LOVE MATCH THAT HAS WEATHERED THE DISAPPROVAL OF THE BRIDE'S FATHER, KING CARL XVI GUSTAF, WHO WAS INITIALLY HORRIFIED THAT HIS HEIR WAS MARRYING HER FORMER FITNESS TRAINER, AND GROWING INDIFFERENCE FROM THE SWEDISH PUBLIC, WHO HAVE INCREASINGLY QUESTIONED THE MONARCHY'S MODERN RELEVANCE, TOOK PLACE IN STOCKHOLM'S
STORKYRKAN CATHEDRAL LATE ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON. DETERMINED TO MARK THE HISTORIC DAY WITH A MAJESTIC CEREMONY THE SWEDISH ROYAL FAMILY HAD INVITED SEVERAL CROWNED HEADS OF EUROPE FOR THEIR DAUGHTER'S MARRIAGE TO WESTLING, WHO NOW BECOMES HRH PRINCE DANIEL, DUKE OF VASTERGOTLAND. AS THE COUPLE STOOD AT THE CATHEDRAL ALTER AT 3.30 YESTERDAY, COINCIDENTALLY THE SAME CHURCH IN WHICH THE CROWN PRINCESS'S PARENTS, KING CARL XVI GUSTAF AND QUEEN SILVIA, WERE MARRIED AND ON THE DATE OF THEIR 34th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY, VICTORIA LOOKED REGAL AND DEMURE IN AN IVORY SILK SHORT-SLEEVED OFF THE SHOULDER GOWN, DESIGNED BY PAR ENGSHEDEN. THE NEWLY CREATED PRINCE APPEARED CONFIDENT AND IMMACULATELY GROOMED, A FAR CRY FROM THE LONG-HAIRED, RATHER SCRUFFY YOUNG MAN WHO WAS FIRST PICTURED IN THE SWEDISH NEWSPAPERS EIGHT YEARS AGO WHEN THE NEWS BROKE THAT THE CROWN PRINCESS WAS DATING HIM. AS HE UTTERED AN ENTHUSIASTIC 'JA' DURING HIS WEDDING VOWS, HIS EYES FILLED WITH TEARS AS HE TURNED TO SMILE AT HIS NEW WIFE. WHILE PRINCE EDWARD, THE EARL OF WESSEX, AND HIS WIFE SOPHIE, THE COUNTESS, REPRESENTED THE BRITISH ROYAL FAMILY, THE CONGREGATION INCLUDED THE ELITE AMONG EUROPE'S ROYALS. AMONG THE OTHER EUROPEAN ROYALS WERE QUEEN MARGRETHE AND PRINCE CONSORT HENRIK OF DENMARK; QUEEN SOFIA OF SPAIN; KING HARALD AND QUEEN SONJA OF NORWAY; QUEEN BEATRIX OF THE NETHERLANDS' PRINCESS MARTHA LOUISE OF NORWAY AND HER HUSBAND ARI BEHN; PRINCESS LAURENTIEN AND PRINCE CONSTANTIJN OF HOLLAND; CROWN PRINCESS MARY AND CROWN PRINCE FREDERIK OF DENMARK AND PRINCESS MADELEINE OF SWEDEN. AS THE CEREMONY GOT UNDER WAY THE CHURCH BELLS RANG AND STOCKHOLM'S STREETS THRONGED WITH WELL-WISHERS. THE CELEBRATIONS WILL LAST SEVERAL DAYS AND INCLUDE A PRIVATE DINNER AT DROTTNINGHOLM PALACE, A LUNCH AT THE CITY HALL OF STOCKHOLM AND A GALA PERFORMANCE AT THE CITY'S CONCERT HALL. THE £1.7 MILLION SPECTACLE AT THE NEWLY RENOVATED CATHEDRAL WAS WATCHED BY ALMOST FIVE MILLION VIEWERS ACROSS EUROPE AND ON STOCKHOLM'S STREETS CROWDS WATCHED THE CEREMONY ON SPECIALLY INSTALLED TELEVISION SCREENS. THE CROWN PRINCESS WAS ESCORTED DOWN THE AISLE BY HER FATHER, THE KING, RATHER THAN WALKING WITH HER HUSBAND TO BE, WHICH IS CUSTOMARY FOR SWEDISH BRIDES. THE STREETS WERE AWASH WITH SWEDISH FLAGS AND 40,000 ROSES, CARNATIONS, LILIES AND HYDRANGEAS DECKED THE LAMP-POSTS ANS SHOP FRONTS. ON SATURDAY EVENING, SWEDES CELEBRATED LONG INTO THE NIGHT, TOASTING THEIR ROYAL BRIDE AND WELCOMING THE NEW ADDITION TO THE ROYAL FAMILY: THE COMMONER WHO OVERCAME ALL OPPOSITION TO BECOME A ROYAL PRINCE.