Lot 401. Collection of the Princess Doria Pamphilj. Important diamond pendant, circa 1840. Estimate 960,000 — 1,920,000 CHF (877,359 - 1,754,719 EUR). Photo Sotheby's

Of floral design, set with a pear-shaped diamond, the petals set with cushion-shaped, circular-, single-cut and rose diamonds.

Note: This pendant was designed as a drop to an earlier rivière necklace, the central pear-shaped diamond possibly came from the fabled mines of the Golconda region in India. A stone of this size must have been considered exceptional at the time and the jeweller who handled it, treated it with great care. Rather than lose weight by cutting its girdle to eliminate a flaw on its side, he cleverly camouflaged the imperfection with a silver patch just as during the Renaissance chipped cameos and intaglios of Greek and Roman time were repaired with gold plaques. 

Sotheby's.  Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels, Genève, 17 mai 2016, 10:00 AM