GENEVA , — The featured items at the Geneva auction of jewelry and collectibles next week include a diamond bracelet that once belonged France’s Marie Antoinette, and a sapphire and-diamond brooch that was once hung from a Russian grand-duchess.
A pair of Nike high-top sneakers, made by Kobe Bryant (the late NBA star and Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard) will also be up for sale in the Swiss lakeside city.
The Nike Air Zoom Huarache 2K4 basketball sneakers in blue, white, and gold are expected to sell for up to 35,000 Swiss Francs (about $38,000) at Sotheby’s on November 11. According to the auction house, Bryant wore these sneakers during a victory over the L.A. Clippers on March 17, 2004.
As usual, the Geneva fall auction season will feature diamonds, emeralds sapphires rubies, and other precious gems. Next week’s Sotheby’s and Christie’s sales will be a highlight.
Christie’s will offer Tuesday a pair of eye-catching 18th-century heavy bracelets that are adorned with three rows small diamonds. These bracelets are one of the few remaining remnants of Marie Antoinette’s rich jewelry collection that is still available for purchase.
According to the auction house, the famous royal and wife to King Louis XVI wrapped her jewels in cotton to protect them from revolutionary France – which eventually cost her her life with the guillotine. Christie’s stated that the bracelets were commissioned in 1776 and kept within royal lineage for more than 200 years.
“Despite Marie-Antoinette’s capture during the French Revolution, and her unfortunate death, the bracelets survived” said Max Fawcett of Christie’s jewelry division. He was referring to Marie-Therese de France, the couple’s child, and Princess Louise d’Artois who died in 1864.
Fawcett stated that “To see them up to auction today is an unique opportunity for collectors worldwide to own a piece French royal history,”
The bracelets are estimated to sell for up to 4,000,000 Swiss Francs ($4.38 Million). Each bracelet weighs 97g (3.42 ounces), with “old-cut” diamonds and silver and gold.
Sotheby’s will present a pair “perfectly matched” earrings with 25.8-carat, which are expected to fetch as high as 5 million Francs ($5.5million).
The brooch will feature a 26.8 carat oval sapphire, surrounded by diamonds and matching earrings. They are expected to bring in as high as 480,000 Francs ($525,800).
“She was Grand Duke Vladimir’s wife, and was passionate about jewelry. Olivier Wagner, head of Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels sales, stated that she had a wonderful collection of jewels.