The necklace has been worn at two British coronations and may contain diamonds from the infamous necklace at the heart of a scandal that tainted the reputation of Marie Antoinette, the last queen of France.
The exact origins of the necklace have not been recorded, with Sotheby’s stressing it does not know for certain.
That history centers on Louis XV, the king of France, who commissioned a lavish diamond necklace for his mistress, Madam Du Barry, in 1722 — two years before he died of smallpox.
Marie Antoinette, the country's new queen consort, declined to buy the necklace despite her reputation for extravagance.
In 2022, bracelets that once belonged to Marie Antoinette sold for more than $8 million at auction, also in Geneva.
Persons:
Marie Antoinette, France, Sotheby’s, ” Andres White Correal, ”, ” White Correal, Louis XV, Madam Du Barry, Jeanne de La Motte, Marchioness, Paget, Queen Elizabeth II
Organizations:
Reuters, Louis
Locations:
Geneva, France, Anglesey