Vienna 1900: An Imperial and Royal Collection

Vienna 1900: An Imperial and Royal Collection

View full screen - View 1 of Lot 1047. Fitted case.

From the Collection of Princess Maria Pia of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duchess of Parma (1849-1882)

Mellerio dits Meller

Fitted case

Auction Closed

November 7, 12:14 PM GMT

Estimate

100 - 120 CHF

Lot Details

Description

From the Collection of Princess Maria Pia of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duchess of Parma (1849-1882)


Fitted case, Mellerio dits Meller, circa 1874


The lid stamped MB, the red velvet interior intended to hold a variety of jewels, stamped Mellerio dits Meller.

Princess Maria Luisa of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Countess of Bardi (1855-1874)

Princess Maria Pia of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duchess of Parma (1849-1882)

Princess Marie Louise of Bourbon-Parma, Princess Consort of Bulgaria (1870-1899)

Princess Nadezhda of Bulgaria, Duchess of Württemberg (1899-1958)

Cf.: Vincent Meylan, Mellerio dits Meller - Joaillier des Reines, Paris, 2013, p. 281, for the original sale ledger by Mellerio dits Meller documenting the commission of this fitted jewellery case.

The sale ledgers of Mellerio dits Meller pertaining to the acquisitions of Princess Maria Pia of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duchess of Parma (1849-1882) document that she commissioned a fitted case for a lot of jewels designated as 'MB' in December 1874. This case was presumably intended to house a group of pre-existing jewels. Around the same time, Mellerio restrung a five-strand pearl necklace. Likely it is the imprint of this very necklace which can still be detected inside the case. 


The handwritten historical note accompanying the fitted case mentions that it belonged to Princess Maria Luisa of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Countess of Bardi (1855-1874) and was inherited by her niece Princess Marie Louise of Bourbon-Parma, Princess Consort of Bulgaria (1870-1899), the eldest daughter of her sister Princess Maria Pia of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duchess of Parma. However, the Countess of Bardi passed away in August 1874 whereas the case was only created in December of the same year. It is worth noting that the Duchess of Parma also had a diamond rivière necklace having belonged to her sister altered in December 1874. This makes it very plausible that she in fact commissioned the case stamped 'MB' for a group of jewels which she had inherited from her sister only shortly before.