A fabulous jewellery collection once owned by multi-billionaire Heidi Horten is to go under the hammer at Christie’s for an expected USD 150 million.
Art connoisseur Horten inherited the bulk of her USD 3 billion (GBP 2.4 billion) fortune from her late husband.
She died aged 81 in June last year at her home beside Lake Worthersee, Austria.
Now her breathtaking jewellery collection will be sold off in Geneva, Switzerland, with the raised money going to charities and causes close to her heart.
Christie’s say about 400 pieces out of a total of 700 will be offered across the two live and one online auctions as part of their Luxury Week at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva on 10th and 12th May.
Another sale will take place in November.
Highlights include the stunning egg-sized 90-carat Briolette of India Diamond Necklace by Harry Winston, originally sold by Cartier in 1909.
Another is The Sunrise Ruby and Diamond ring with a 25-carat stone by Cartier, expected to raise up to USD 20 million.
The collection – called ‘The World of Heidi Horten’ – is said to be the most valuable ever private jewellery sale and is expected to make USD 150 million (GBP 121 million).
With the Elizabeth Taylor auction in 2011, and the Maharajas and Mughal Magnificence sale in 2019, it will join the top three most expensive gem sales of all time.
Christie’s revealed the highlights of the auction, by listing them in a statement obtained by Newsflash: “The stunning 90 carat Briolette of India Diamond Necklace by Harry Winston, originally sold by Cartier in 1909.
“A Three Strand Natural Pearl Necklace also by Harry Winston, highlighted by a cushion shaped pink diamond clasp of 11 carats (estimate USD 7-10 million [GBP 5.6-8 million]).
“The Sunrise Ruby and Diamond ring of 25 carats by Cartier, pigeon blood in colour and of exceptional purity (estimate USD 15-20 million [GBP 12-16 million]).
“A very important selection of Bulgari creations from the 1970s to present day, retracing more than five decades of the firm’s signature Italian craftsmanship.
“An exceptional Diamond Bracelet by Harry Winston (estimate USD 5-7 million [GBP 4-5.6 million]).
“The Great Mughal Emerald Pendant Necklace by Harry Winston (estimate USD 500,000-700,000 [GBP 405,000-566,000]).”
The auction house revealed that the cash from the diamond collection will be devoted to philanthropy as Horten wished.
As well as jewellery, the widow of businessman Helmut Horten reportedly boasted an art collection of more than 500 works, including paintings by Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol.
Two years before her death Horten had set up The Heidi Horten Foundation to support her museum of modern and contemporary art in Vienna, Austria.
She had also supported medical research and other philanthropic activities for decades, claimed Christie’s.
President Christie’s EMEA Anthea Peers said: “This is a historic moment for Christie’s to have the privilege of offering one of the world’s finest and most important jewellery collections originating from Europe.
“Furthermore, to witness a philanthropic effort of this scale is as rare as it is remarkable.
“Today, with the establishment of The Heidi Horten Foundation, the late Mrs Horten has created an important framework to secure the operation of her museum for decades to come, ensuring the enjoyment of the arts for enthusiasts around the globe.”
Christie’s International Head of Jewellery Rahul Kadakia added: “The World of Heidi Horten is the collection of a lifetime.
“From Bulgari to Van Cleef & Arpels, from a small personal memory piece to the Briolette of India, this is a collector’s dream.
“Building from extraordinary early pieces she acquired in the 1970’s and 1980’s, Mrs Horten continued to grow and curate her sophisticated collection, eloquently combining vintage and modern designs from the leading jewellery houses of the world that today represent some of the finest examples ever to come to market.”
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Story By: Georgina Jadikovska, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency: Newsflash
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