Formerly in the Collection of Kyriakos and Maria Venizelos
Van Cleef & Arpels
Important emerald and diamond ring, circa 1942
Auction Closed
May 13, 04:50 PM GMT
Estimate
350,000 - 530,000 CHF
Lot Details
Description
Set with a step-cut emerald weighing 26.81 carats, between baguette diamond shoulders, size 54, unsigned, numbered, case stamped Van Cleef & Arpels.
Accompanied by Gübelin report no. 25030041, dated 17 March 2025, and no. 23050074, dated 26 May 2023, each stating that the emerald is of Colombian origin, with a minor amount of oil in fissures; together with a copy of a Van Cleef & Arpels invoice duplicate, dated 20 February 2025, stating that the jewel was purchased at Van Cleef & Arpels New York on 1 April 1942.
Formerly in the Collection of Kyriakos and Maria Venizelos
In 1942, this important emerald and diamond ring was acquired by Kyriacos Venizelos and his wife Maria at Van Cleef & Arpels in New York. Kyriacos was the son of the renowned Greek statesman Eleftherios Venizelos (1864-1936), who served as Prime Minister for seven times over the course of two decades. He is still unanimously accepted as the Greek nation’s Leader due to his reforms, donations to the Greek State, and the huge territorial gains for Greece, he managed to secure. His son was also elected Prime Minister of Greece, and his grandson – father of the owner of the ring – served as Vice President of the Greek Parliament.
Kyriakos Venizelos was a shipowner based in New York and was also elected as Member of the Parliament. His wife Maria, heiress of the shipping magnate Nikitas Roussos, was one of the richest women in the world during the 60’s and the 70’s.
There are thousands of roads and squares in Greece and Cannes France named after the Venizelos name, while the airport of Athens is also named 'Eleftherios Venizelos'.
Venizelos passed away in March 1936 in Paris, where the family principally resided.