A Tsar's Treasure: Ferdinand of Bulgaria (1861-1948)
Sardonyx bangle, circa 1835, a shell cameo brooch/pendant, mid-19th century and a collection of jewels
Auction Closed
November 13, 06:32 PM GMT
Estimate
1,400 - 2,600 CHF
Lot Details
Description
Comprising: a gold bangle collet-set with a banded sardonyx, inner circumference approximately 140mm, inscribed Thérèse, Puisse le moment de nous revoir suivre – Bientôt – le 8. Octobre 1835, fitted case; a brooch/pendant collet-set with a shell cameo depicting Saint Agnes and the lamb in a pasture, signed Pascoli and indistinctly signed Lavitt, fitted case; a brooch set with a cabochon carnelian flanked by moss agate; a brooch of archeological revival design set with sodalite inlaid with a micromosaic peace dove and the word PAX, Austrian assay mark; an openwork jewel decorated with blue enamel, Austrian maker’s and assay mark for gold; a ring designed as three interlocking polished gold rings, size 47, British hallmarks for gold, date letter for 1976; and a curb-link bracelet, length approximately 190mm; partially illustrated.
Sardonyx bangle:
Archduchess Maria Theresa of Austria-Teschen, Queen of the Two Sicilies (1816-1867)
Archduke Albrecht of Austria, Duke of Teschen (1817-1895)
Archduchess Maria Immaculata of Austria-Tuscany, Duchess of Württemberg (1878-1968)
Shell cameo brooch/pendant:
Princess Maria Immaculata of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Archduchess of Austria-Tuscany (1844-1899)
Archduchess Maria Immaculata of Austria-Tuscany, Duchess of Württemberg (1878-1968)
The sardonyx bangle belonged to Archduchess Maria Theresa of Austria-Teschen, Queen of the Two Sicilies (1816-1867), likely it was a gift from her husband Ferdinand II, King of the Two Sicilies (1810-1859) around the time of their betrothal. After her death the bangle was left to her brother Archduke Albrecht of Austria, Duke of Teschen (1817-1895) who bequeathed it to his great-niece Archduchess Maria Immaculata of Austria-Tuscany, Duchess of Württemberg (1878-1968). The bangle has a compartment which previously contained a lock of hair from the Queen of the Two Sicilies.
The shell cameo brooch/pendant belonged to Princess Maria Immaculata of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Archduchess of Austria-Tuscany (1844-1899). She passed it down to her daughter Archduchess Maria Immaculata of Austria-Tuscany, Duchess of Württemberg (1878-1968) who displayed it in an Empire-style vitrine in her drawing room. The brooch/pendant is accompanied by a fitted case stamped with a Papal tiara which seems to allude to the fact that it was likely a Papal gift to Princess Maria Immaculata of Bourbon-Two Sicilies.