The Maharajas & Mughal Magnificence collection recently concluded at Christie’s New York made history: The collection, comprising Indian jewels and jewelled objects spanning 500 years of history, sold for $109.3 million – “the highest for any auction of Indian art and Mughal objects, and the second highest for a private jewellery collection”, according to Christie’s.
The 12-hour long auction saw 400 lots on offer, with bidders from 45 countries. 93% was sold by lot and 92% was sold by value. A great number of diamonds were sold, including the Mirror of Paradise – a rectangular-cut diamond of 52.58 carats, which achieved $6,517,500; the Arcot II, which sold for $4.3 million; and an extremely rare, large portrait-cut diamond of 20.22 carats, which fetched $1,095,000.
Other notable lots included: An enamelled and gem-set model of a parrot, which sold for $1,035,000; a Belle Époque diamond jigha, which sold for $1,815,000; and last but not least, the lot which achieved highest price of the sale — a Belle Époque devant-de-corsage by Cartier, sold for $10,603,500.
