Lot 259. A Belle Époque diamond devant-de-corsage brooch, by Cartier. Estimate CHF6,500,000 – CHF11,000,000 ($7,412,204 - $12,543,729). Price realised CHF 15,845,000. Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2014

The pendant centering upon a pear-shaped diamond, weighing approximately 34.08 carats, an oval-shaped diamond, weighing approximately 23.55 carats, and a marquise-shaped diamond, weighing approximately 6.51 carats, enhanced by Lily-of-the-valley links set with circular-cut diamonds, and suspended from two detachable similarly-set lines, each with a pavé-set old-cut diamond palmette terminal, mounted in platinum, 1912, pendant only 9.1 cm. With maker's mark for Henri Picq workshop, signed Cartier. 

Accompanied by report no. 2155827220 dated 20 December 2013 from the GIA Gemological Institute of America stating that the 34.08 carat pear-shaped diamond is E colour, VSI clarity, and a Diamond Type Classification letter stating that the diamond is Type IA.

Report no. 2155827320 dated 16 December 2013 from the GIA Gemological Institute of America stating that the 23.55 carat oval-shaped diamond is D colour, VVS2 clarity, a working diagram indicating that the clarity of the diamond is potentially Internally Flawless, and a Diamond Type Classification letter stating that the diamond is Type IIA

Report no. 2155827783 dated 24 December 2013 from the GIA Gemological Institute of America stating that the 6.51 carat marquise-shaped diamond is D colour, VS1 clarity, and a Diamond Type Classification letter stating that the diamond is Type IIA

Report no. 5151827771 dated 20 December 2013 from the GIA Gemological Institute of America stating that the 3.54 carat heart-shaped diamond is E colour, VS2 clarity, and a Diamond Type Classification letter stating that the diamond is Type IA 

Provenance: Christie's Geneva, 16 May 1991, lot 327
Private Collection
Solomon Barnato Joel (1865-1931)

Literature: F. Cologni and E. Nussbaum, Platinum by Cartier, Harry N. Abrams Publishers, 1995, New York, pp. 100-101
H. Nadelhoffer, Cartier, Thames & Hudson, 2007 (original text from 1984), London, pp. 44-45

Christie's. GENEVA MAGNIFICENT JEWELS, 14 May 2014. Geneva