A Superb Suite of Imperial Jewels, A Magnificent and Unique Diamond Parure, Mid 19th Century

Comprising: a necklace designed as a series of graduated clusters between foliate motifs, each centring on a cushion-shaped coloured diamond within a border of similarly shaped near-colourless stones, suspending to the front a similarly set pear-shaped cluster pendant, length approximately 270mm, central circular cluster and pear-shaped motif detachable; together with a pair of ear pendants, later post fittings and a brooch centring on a cushion-shaped near-colourless diamond, further set with similarly and pear-shaped clusters, mounted in silver and gold.

Cf: The Encyclopaedia of Islam, New Edition, Vol. I, Leiden, 1986, pp.268-71.

Cf: Evgeniĭ Viktorovich Anisimov, Five Empresses: Court life in Eighteenth-century Russia, translated Kathleen Carroll, Connecticut, USA, 2004, pp. 20-21.

Cf: Francois Marie Arouet De Voltaire, History of Peter The Great, Emperor of Russia, Vol. I, translated from the French by Smollett, New York, 1857.

Please note that online bidding is not available for this lot. Accompanied by Gem Tech Lab report no. 11-D-2273 stating that the central cushion-shaped diamond of bluish grey tint is Type IIb, Natural Colour. Mounted in silver and gold. The total diamond weight is difficult to estimate due to the style of cutting and the age of the stones. However in our opinion, the total weight may fall between approximately 150.00 and 180.00 carats. Diamonds of various tints and with varying degrees of clarity. Some soft solder marks to the back. One small diamond deficient. Tarnish and scratches to the mounting commensurate with age and wear. A unique and very fine piece of jewellery, well preserved. In very good condition considering its age.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Please note that colour, clarity and weight of gemstones are statements of opinion only and not statements of fact by Sotheby's. We do not guarantee, and are not responsible for any certificate from a gemological laboratory that may accompany the property. We do not guarantee that watches are in working order. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue, in particular to the Notice regarding the treatment and condition of gemstones and to the Notice regarding import of Burmese jadeite and rubies into the US.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This parure was purchased at Christie's auction in London on 22nd May 1963. The sale catalogue entry relates that, by tradition, jewels contained in this necklace may have formed part of the ransom offered by Empress Catherine I, wife of Peter the Great of Russia to the Twenty-Third Ottoman Sultan Ahmed III (1673-1736), son of Mehmed IV, after the Pruth River Battles.

Towards the end of 1710, under the influence of Charles XII of Sweden, the Ottoman Sultan declared war on Russia. The foremost event of this conflict was the Pruth River Campaign, which lasted several days in July 1711. Russian troops under the command of Peter the Great attempted to invade Moldavia in Eastern Europe. Ill prepared, the Russian forces soon found themselves surrounded by the Turkish army on the Pruth River.  Without enough ammunition, food or water supplies, what was anticipated to be but a few days siege turned into an insurmountable battle for the Russians. Long negotiations between Peter the Great and the Grand Vizier Baltaa Mehmet-Pasha, commander in chief of the Turkish forces, proved unfruitful and the Russian's fate looked grim.

Catherine I of Russia, second wife of Peter the Great, is said to have saved not only her husband but also the empire, as related by Voltaire, when she accompanied her husband to the River Pruth. In the hours while Peter was resting before what was to be the final battle, Catherine reconvened the War Council to reassess the great danger of their planned military breakthrough. She proceeded to wake Peter begging him to pen one final letter to the Turkish Vizier in order to peacefully resolve the conflict. Meanwhile, in secret, Catherine gathered all of her jewels, both family heirlooms and gifts from her husband, sending them alongside this letter in hopes of easing negotiations. The gift of the jewels was duly accepted and a peace treaty was drawn. Amongst his losses, Peter the Great also was forced to return control of the Black Sea port of Azov, near the Don River. In return the Sultan Ahmed III expelled the disappointed Swedish Charles XII from Ottoman territory.

The jewels from Catherine are believed to have then passed into the Ottoman Treasures and were, by tradition, used by the Sultan Abdül Hamid II (1842-1918) for the present necklace which he presented to the wife of the Khedive Teufik of Egypt, possibly on the occasion of the birth of their son and heir Abbas II Hilmi Paşa (1874-1944). Born HH Princess Emine-Nacibe Hanimefendi, the "Valida Sultana" or "Valide Pasha" became the most powerful woman of the region and political mentor to her son Abbas. The first consort to be styled Khediva Effendimiz, she was also known as "Umm al-Mu'hsinin" in recognition of her many charitable works. While still attending college in Vienna, her son, HH Abbas II Hilmi Paşa, assumed the throne with the help of his mother. The Khedive of Egypt and Sudan, Abbas' reign was marked by tensions with the United Kingdom whose armies had occupied Egypt since 1882. With the Ottoman Empire's engagement in World War I, the British declared Egypt an independent Sultanate under a protectorate on the 18th of December 1914 and deposed of Abbas. Barred from entering British territory, he retired to Switzerland where he died on the 19th of December 1944, in Geneva. His son, the Prince Muhammad Abdul Moneim (1899-1979), was husband to the consignor of the jewels to the Christie's sale of 1963.

This parure of jewels is probably the most important suite of antique coloured diamond jewels to appear at auction in the last 50 years.  It is difficult to overestimate its rarity.

*Please note that the image in the printed catalogue is the Valida Sultana Emine Hanım of Egypt, born HH Princess Emine-Nacibe Hanimefendi, indeed 1858 - 1931, wife of the Khedive Teufik of Egypt, and not Princess Neslishah Abdel-Moneim.