The pair of ruby and diamond pendent earrings of HSH Princess Max Egon zu Hohenlohe-Langenburg. Photo Sotheby's

Each suspending a cushion-shaped ruby, weighing 11.46 and 11.64 carats respectively, set within a surround of cushion-shaped and circular-cut diamonds, to a surmount of foliate design embellished with similarly cut and rose diamonds, screw back fittings. Estimation: 1,400,000 - 2,330,000 CHF

Accompanied by SSEF report no. 65311 and Gübelin report no. 11030107/ 1 and 2, stating that the rubies are of Burmese origin, with no indications of heating.

PROVENANCE: HSH Princess Max Egon zu Hohenlohe-Langenburg (1892-1990). These earrings were assembled in 1921 and given as a gift by her parents Trinidad von Scholtz Hermennsdorff, Duchess of Parcent, and Ambassador Manuel de Yturbe of Mexico, on the occasion of her wedding.
Thence by descent to the present owner.

NOTE DE CATALOGUE: Natural Burmese rubies which are of fine colour and have been spared any enhancement are amongst the rarest of all gemstones. Once their weight exceeds ten carats and they are presented as a perfectly matched pair then they enter the realm of the truly exceptional. Mix in an illustrious Noble provenance and you have a jewel worthy of the highest esteem.

Sotheby's. Magnificent Jewels. Genève | 14 nov. 2012 www.sothebys.com