Vienna 1900: An Imperial and Royal Collection

Vienna 1900: An Imperial and Royal Collection

View full screen - View 1 of Lot 1014. Chrysoprase, ruby and diamond pectoral cross, circa 1900.

From the Collection of Ferdinand I, Tsar of Bulgaria (1861-1948)

Chrysoprase, ruby and diamond pectoral cross, circa 1900

Auction Closed

November 7, 12:14 PM GMT

Estimate

7,000 - 13,000 CHF

Lot Details

Description

From the Collection of Ferdinand I, Tsar of Bulgaria (1861-1948)


Chrysoprase, ruby and diamond pectoral cross, circa 1900


Designed as a Latin cross, collet-set with chrysoprase framed by gold scrollwork enhanced with variously cut rubies, decorated with silver rays, terminals of foliate design and a bow set with rose diamonds, from a chain composed of Greek crosses alternating with bar links, length approximately 620mm, fitted case.

Ferdinand I, Tsar of Bulgaria (1861-1948)

Princess Eudoxia of Bulgaria (1898-1985)

This pectoral cross belonged to Ferdinand I, Tsar of Bulgaria (1861-1948). In his will he bequeathed it to Monseigneur Michael Buzalka, Auxiliary Bishop of Bratislava and Trnava (1885-1961). When Ferdinand I passed away in 1948, the Bishop was imprisoned by the communist regime of Czechoslovakia. Therefore the bequest could not be carried out. The Bishop passed away in prison in the early 1960s. Ferdinand I's daughter Princess Eudoxia of Bulgaria (1898-1985) subsequently inherited the pectoral cross. For years, she tried to re-establish contact with the imprisoned Bishop and concluded that he passed away in either 1963 or 1964 as his name was no longer mentioned in the Annunzio Pontifico from that time onwards.