Romanov Crown Jewels Resurface at Sotheby's After Century in Hiding

Sotheby’s will auction Russian imperial jewels once owned by Catherine the Great and Nicholas II, part of a collection that vanished after the Soviet sale of 1927. The items debut at Sotheby’s Breuer building in New York on June 11, with the auction on June 17 during Luxury Week. Highlights include diamond floral dress trimmings from Catherine the Great’s collection, attributed to Duval (circa 1780), and a Fabergé aquamarine necklace made for Czarina Alexandra Feodorovna by workmaster Albert Holmström (circa 1911), complete with original box. Also featured is a diamond and Ceylon sapphire ornament owned by Empress Elizabeth Petrovna (circa 1750). The sale launches Sotheby’s “Artistic Luxury” sale, focusing on historically significant works. Helen Culver Smith, Global Head of Fabergé & Russian Works of Art, called the pieces “rare and historically important.” The jewels have been in private hands since 1927 and unseen for nearly a century.