Impressive sapphire and diamond pendant-brooch, 19th century composite
Lot 624. Impressive 43.27 carats Burmese sapphire and diamond pendant-brooch, 19th century composite.Estimate 190,000 – 285,000 CHF Lot sold 521,000 CHF. Photo Sotheby's 2013
The pear-shaped sapphire weighing 43.27 carats, set within a frame of pinched collet-set cushion-shaped and circular-cut diamonds, suspended from a detachable surmount of bow design, embellished with similarly cut diamonds.
Accompanied by Gübelin report no. 13030060, stating that the sapphire is of Burmese origin, with no indications of heating. Additionally accompanied by SSEF report no. 67194 and Gem Tech short report no. Nr 13-G-5582, stating that the sapphire is of Ceylon origin, with no indications of heating.
Provenance: By family tradition, the sapphire once belonged to Joséphine de Beauharnais (b.1763-d.1814), first wife of Napoléon Bonaparte.
Sotheby's. Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels. Genève, 14 mai 2013