Tomorrow, Sotheby's will be auctioning the 'Royal Jewels from the Bourbon Parma Family' in Geneva, which is probably the biggest auction of Royal Jewels since that of Princess Margaret in 2006, though this one has pieces that are much more historic. It is almost common knowledge that the jewels are being sold by the heirs of
Infanta Alicia, Duchess of Calabria, who passed away last year. I wonder why they weren't loaned out to her daughter-in-law, Princess Anne, the Dowager Duchess of Calabria, who has appeared at grand events without suitable jewels for decades? Maybe there were issues of security and transportation, or Infanta Alicia retained the jewels till her death. I'm looking forward to some of the more historic pieces being acquired by the Louvre or even another family member, like we saw with
another Bourbon Parma Tiara earlier this year! Like many of us, I loathe to see such a historic collection being broken up, but I wonder what jewels the Bourbon Parmas (who have been selling their jewels since the 80s) still have left?
You can read
my article on some of the highlights from the sale HERE.
There is a fascinating array of Orders and Insignia on offer, and I wonder if the Greek Order of the Reedemer could have been given to the Duke of Calabria at the wedding of King Juan Carlos and Princess Sofia of Greece?
The Jewels of Archduchess Marie Anne of Austria, Princess Elie de Bourbon Parme (I found the notes from the inventory rather touching, and told my mother and grandmother to do the same with their jewels), some of which were worn by her daughter, Infanta Alicia.
How likely is it that the jewels of Marie Antoinette will end up in a museum (preferably the Louvre) rather than a private collection?
Note- All of the picture collages in this thread were made by me!