Held in private collections for more than 200 years, jewelry that once belonged to France’s ill-fated Queen Marie Antoinette has gone on display in Dubai ahead of its planned auction in Geneva next month.
Described by British auction house Sotheby’s as “one of the most important royal jewelry collections ever to come to auction,” the seven pieces are part of an exhibition entitled “Royal Jewels from the Bourbon Parma family” that also includes other items from the storied dynasty’s rich history.
The French queen’s jewels on view include a 49-karat natural pearl and diamond pendant, as well as necklaces, brooches, and earrings valued in total at between $1.5 and 3 million.
The collection, which belongs to the Bourbon Parma family, also includes a monogram ring with woven strands of Marie Antoinette’s hair enclosed.