Christie’s Magnificent Jewels | 11 November 2025

Bhagat Pearl and Diamond Necklace

Estimate: CHF 120,000 – CHF 180,000

Property of a Princess

A Bhagat Natural Pearl and Diamond Necklace with variously-shaped natural pearls, triangular-shaped rose-cut diamond in a closed back mounting, round diamonds, 18k white gold, circa 2001.

Indian jewellery is an art form that blends spirituality, power, and refinement. Enriched by centuries of trade and an extraordinary abundance of natural resources, it is distinguished by the use of rare gems — Golconda diamonds, Kashmir sapphires, Colombian emeralds — and intricate techniques such as Kundan, Meenakari enamel, and Jadau stone setting. Under Mughal rule, jewellery became a symbol of status and authority, with ornaments like the jigha (worn on turbans) and pearl necklaces reserved for nobility. Each stone carried meaning: rubies for power, emeralds for wisdom, pearls for purity. These creations, often engraved with sacred verses or imperial names, were more than adornments — they were talismans, expressions of identity and faith. Viren Bhagat embodies both the continuity and evolution of this tradition. A Mumbai-based jeweller from a long lineage of goldsmiths, Bhagat has reinterpreted Mughal heritage through a modern lens, drawing inspiration from Art Deco and the purity of form. His pieces, crafted exclusively from natural gemstones and noble metals, are unique works born from a creative process that is both intuitive and exacting. Today, his rare and sought-after creations are among the most coveted at international auctions, celebrating the timeless elegance and artisanal perfection of Indian jewellery.

Pearl, Diamond and Enamel Necklace

Estimate: CHF 200,000 – CHF 300,000

Property of a Princess

An Indian Reversible Natural Pearl, Seed Pearl, Diamond and Enamel Necklace, composed of seven rows of graduated natural pearls, clasp with seed pearls, table-cut diamonds in a closed-back mounting, white, blue, red and green enamel, yellow gold, silk cord, blue fitted case.

The Shah Jahan Emerald

Estimate: CHF 160,000 – CHF 250,000
Formerly in the Al Thani Collection

The Shah Jahan Carved Emerald of 30.60 carats

Christie’s, New York, 19 June 2019, lot 340.

Al Thani Collection.

Pearl and Diamond Tiara

Estimate: CHF 220,000 – CHF 320,000

Property of a British Noble Family

A Garrard & Co. late 19th century Diamond Rivière Necklace/Natural Pearl and Diamond Tiara, with five drop-shaped natural pearls, old round, cushion-shaped and rose-cut diamonds, silver and gold, the rivière necklace, pearl drops, foliate sections and cushion-shaped diamonds all detachable, circa 1880, unsigned, fitted case by Garrard & Co with two additional tiara frames.

The London jeweller Garrard has a long association with supplying the British royal family and aristocracy with some of the most iconic jewellery and regalia, including several legendary tiaras worn by members of the British royal family, and in 1843 were appointed the official Crown Jeweller by Queen Victoria.

This wonderful tiara offered here, with its original Garrard fitted case, has remained in the possession of the same British noble family and is particularly noteworthy for its versatility and the size and quality of the diamonds and natural pearls.

The impressive rivière of old-cut diamonds that forms the base of the tiara is detachable to be worn as a superb diamond necklace and a smaller tiara formed of the foliate elements and the four larger diamond collets.

Since so much ancestral jewellery has been either broken down or remodelled over the generations, it is remarkable these large diamonds and fine natural pearls have remained in their original settings and this tiara represents an exceptionally rare surviving example of British antique jewellery at its best.

‘The Nepal Emeralds’ Cartier Emerald and Diamond Jewellery

Estimate: CHF 1,300,000 – CHF 2,000,000

‘The Nepal Emeralds’ Cartier Emerald and Diamond Jewellery, comprising the ‘Nepal Emeralds’ necklace and tiara, with interchangeable emerald cabochon drops of 57.82, 40.20, 31.77, 29.26, 28.65, 28.61, 26.14, 24.75, 21.13, 17.19, 16.80, 13.41 and 11.38 carats, signed Cartier.

Fabergé Gem-Set and Enamel Letter Opener

Estimate: CHF 6,000 – CHF 8,000

A Splendid Casket of Ancestral Jewellery

A Fabergé early 20th century Gem-Set and Enamel Letter Opener of amaranth wood blade of slightly tapering form, the finial enamelled in red over a wavy guilloché ground, moonstone cabochon at the top, Moscow, 1907 – 1908, in the original Fabergé wooden case.

Inherited by Helena Violet Alice Fraser, later 3rd Countess of Stradbroke (1874 – 1949).

Thence by descent.

Diamond Flower Brooch

Estimate: CHF 35,000 – CHF 45,000

A Splendid Casket of Ancestral Jewellery

A late 19th century Diamond Flower Brooch with old, rose-cut and round diamonds, silver and gold, flowerhead detachable to wear as a pendant, circa 1880.

Antique Diamond Tiara/Necklace

Estimate: CHF 65,000 – CHF 120,000

A Splendid Casket of Ancestral Jewellery

An Antique Diamond and Colourless Gem Tiara/Necklace with pear-shaped and old-cut diamonds, rose-cut diamonds, the three main pear-shapes later replaced with colourless stones, silver and gold, palmette clusters detachable (brooch fitting deficient), circa 1870.

Before her marriage, Miss Helena Fraser, is also depicted as Delilah at The Devonshire House Ball in 1897, hosted by the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire at Devonshire House on Piccadilly, to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. The fancy dress ball was attended by all the prominent figures of the day and provided the perfect occasion for a lavish display of jewellery and extravagant attire, as can be seen in the glamorous studio photograph of Miss Helena Fraser which shows her wearing the diamond palmette necklace, also offered here, as part of her costume.

Pearl and Diamond Pendant/Brooch

Estimate: CHF 110,000 – CHF 160,000

A Splendid Casket of Ancestral Jewellery

A late 19th century Pearl and Diamond Pendant/Brooch with a button-shaped natural pearl, old and rose-cut diamonds, silver and gold, brooch fitting detachable, circa 1880.

Ruby and Diamond Tiara/Necklace

Estimate: CHF 280,000 – CHF 480,000

A Splendid Casket of Ancestral Jewellery

A fine late 19th century Ruby and Diamond Tiara/Necklace with an oval-shaped ruby of 4.02 carats, oval-shaped rubies, old-cut diamonds, silver and gold, back sections detachable for wear as a tiara, circa 1880.

At the Coronation of King Edward VII in 1902, there was a tremendous display of jewellery and the protocol governing the wearing of dress and decorations was strictly observed. Lady Stradbroke, in common with other ladies of the court, wore her jewels in great profusion and in the evocative portrait photograph of the countess dressed in her coronation robes she is wearing the superb ruby and diamond star brooch above the oval ruby and diamond cluster, with the regal ruby and diamond tiara completing the impression of glittering opulence.

Ruby and Diamond Pendant/Brooch

Estimate: CHF 160,000 – CHF 220,000

A Splendid Casket of Ancestral Jewellery

A late 19th century Ruby and Diamond Pendant/Brooch with a cushion-shaped ruby of 7.88 carats, old-cut diamonds, silver and gold, brooch fitting detachable, circa 1890.

Ruby and Diamond Star Pendant/Brooch

Estimate: CHF 1,100,000 – CHF 1,600,000

A Splendid Casket of Ancestral Jewellery

A superb late 19th century Ruby and Diamond Star Pendant/Brooch, with an oval-shaped ruby of 10.07 carats, old and rose-cut diamonds, silver and gold, brooch fitting detachable, circa 1880.

Inherited by Helena Violet Alice Fraser, later 3rd Countess of Stradbroke (1874 – 1949).

Thence by descent.

Due to the scarcity of fine coloured gems, it is extremely rare to encounter them today in their original antique settings; over the decades, so much has either been dispersed or remodelled in the latest fashion. The magnificent ruby jewels offered here are part of a wonderful jewellery collection inherited by Helena Violet Alice (née Fraser), Third Countess of Stradbroke (1874-1949).

At the Coronation of King Edward VII in 1902, there was a tremendous display of jewellery and the protocol governing the wearing of dress and decorations was strictly observed. Lady Stradbroke, in common with other ladies of the court, wore her jewels in great profusion and in the evocative portrait photograph of the countess dressed in her coronation robes she is wearing the superb ruby and diamond star brooch above the oval ruby and diamond cluster, with the regal ruby and diamond tiara completing the impression of glittering opulence.

Before her marriage, Miss Helena Fraser, is also depicted as Delilah at The Devonshire House Ball in 1897, hosted by the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire at Devonshire House on Piccadilly, to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. The fancy dress ball was attended by all the prominent figures of the day and provided the perfect occasion for a lavish display of jewellery and extravagant attire, as can be seen in the glamorous studio photograph of Miss Helena Fraser which shows her wearing the diamond palmette necklace, also offered here, as part of her costume.

Helena was largely brought up by her grandmother Eleanor Louisa de Falbe (1823-1899) at Luton Hoo, a British country estate not far from London. Eleanor had remarried later in life to the Danish Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Christian Frederick de Falbe (1828–1896), and during her tenure at Luton Hoo she entertained lavishly, developing a friendship with members of the British Royal Family. Her granddaughter, Helena, spent much of her childhood at Luton Hoo and when she married George Rous, The Third Earl of Stradbroke, in 1898, the staff of Luton Hoo presented the couple with a silver salver as a wedding present.

This splendid collection of nineteenth century jewellery, which Helena inherited from her grandmother Eleanor, represents the confidence and prosperity of the period as well as some of the best surviving examples of Victorian jewellery, incorporating gemstones of a size and quality seldom seen at the time outside of royal collections.

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Christie’s Magnificent Jewels | 11 November 2025