Sotheby's says it's auctioning a set of natural pearls that once belonged to the famed — or infamous — French queen Marie Antoinette, and have not been seen in public for two centuries.
This undated handout photo released by Sotheby's Geneva shows a diamond and natural pearl pendant that once belonged to Marie Antoinette, expected to sell for $1-2 million. (Sotheby's Geneva via AP)
The sale of "Royal Jewels from the Bourbon-Parma family" is set to take place in Geneva on Nov. 12.
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Sotheby's says it's auctioning a set of natural pearls that once belonged to the famed — or infamous — French queen Marie Antoinette, and have not been seen in public for two centuries.
The sale of "Royal Jewels from the Bourbon-Parma family" is set to take place in Geneva on Nov. 12.
Announcing the sale Wednesday, the auction house said the pearls have not been seen in public in 200 years." The collection includes one piece with a diamond pendant and natural pearl that is estimated to fetch up to $2 million.
Sotheby's international specialist Daniela Mascetti said each jewel is "absolutely imbued with history."
This undated handout photo released by Sotheby's Geneva shows a diamond pendeloque brooch, given to Princess Maria Pia of Bourbon-Two Sicilies from her husband's grandfather Charles II of Parma, expected to sell for $25,000-35,000. (Sotheby's Geneva via AP)
Sotheby's says Marie Antoinette, who was guillotined during the French Revolution, was often portrayed wearing pearls, which the auction house says were as prized as diamonds in the late 18th century.
This undated handout photo released by Sotheby's Geneva shows a pair of natural pearl drop earrings that once belonged to Marie Antoinette, expected to sell for $30,000-50,000. (Sotheby's Geneva via AP)
Announcing the sale Wednesday, the auction house said the pearls have not been seen in public in 200 years." The collection includes one piece with a diamond pendant and natural pearl that is estimated to fetch up to $2 million.
This undated handout photo released by Sotheby's Geneva shows a natural pearl and diamond necklace that once belonged to Marie Antoinette, expected to sell for $200,000-300,000. (Sotheby's Geneva via AP)
Sotheby's international specialist Daniela Mascetti said each jewel is "absolutely imbued with history."
This undated handout photo released by Sotheby's Geneva shows a diamond tiara given by Emperor Franz Joseph to his great-niece Marie Anna of Austria, expected to sell for $80,000-120,000. (Sotheby's Geneva via AP)
This undated handout photo released by Sotheby's Geneva shows a diamond pendeloque brooch, given to Princess Maria Pia of Bourbon-Two Sicilies from her husband's grandfather Charles II of Parma, expected to sell for $25,000-35,000. (Sotheby's Geneva via AP)
VIENNA (AP) — A portrait of a young woman by Gustav Klimt that was long believed to be lost was sold at an auction in Vienna on Wednesday for 30 million euros ($32 million).
The Austrian modernist artist started work on the “Portrait of Fräulein Lieser” in 1917, the year before he died, and it is one of his last works. Bidding started at 28 million euros, and the sale price was at the lower end of an expected range of 30-50 million euros.
The painting went to a bidder from Hong Kong, who wasn't identified.
The Im Kinsky auction house said that “a painting of such rarity, artistic significance, and value has not been available on the art market in Central Europe for decades.”
The intensely colored painting was auctioned on behalf of the current owners, Austrian private citizens whose names weren't released, and the legal heirs of Adolf and Henriette Lieser, one of whom is believed to have commissioned the painting. It's not entirely clear which member of the Lieser family was the model.
Klimt left the painting, with small parts unfinished, in his studio when he died of a stroke in early 1918 and it was given to the family who had commissioned it, according to the auction house.
The Jewish family fled Austria after 1930 and lost most of their possessions.
It's unclear exactly what happened to the painting between 1925 and the 1960s, a period that includes the Nazi dictatorship. Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany in 1938.
The auction house says there is no evidence that the painting was confiscated then, but also no proof that it wasn't. It ended up with the current owners through three successive inheritances.
In view of the uncertainty, an agreement was drawn up with the current owners and the Liesers' heirs to go forward with the sale under the Washington Principles, which were drafted in 1998 to assist in resolving issues related to returning Nazi-confiscated art.
The auction house said it was very happy with Wednesday's result.
The sale price was an art auction record for Austria. The highest price previously paid at an auction in the country was just over 7 million euros for a work by Frans Francken the Younger in 2010.
A man looks at the painting 'Portrait of Fräulein Lieser' by Austrian painter Gustav Klimt prior to an auction, in Vienna, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. A portrait of a young woman by Gustav Klimt that was long believed to be lost has been sold at an auction in Vienna for 30 million euros ($32 million). The Austrian modernist artist started work on the “Portrait of Fräulein Lieser” in 1917, the year before he died, and it is one of his last works. (AP Photo/Christian Bruna)
A man looks at the painting 'Portrait of Fräulein Lieser' by Austrian painter Gustav Klimt prior to an auction, in Vienna, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. A portrait of a young woman by Gustav Klimt that was long believed to be lost has been sold at an auction in Vienna for 30 million euros ($32 million). The Austrian modernist artist started work on the “Portrait of Fräulein Lieser” in 1917, the year before he died, and it is one of his last works. (AP Photo/Christian Bruna)
Attendees take photographs of the painting 'Portrait of Fräulein Lieser' by Austrian painter Gustav Klimt during an auction, in Vienna, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. A portrait of a young woman by Gustav Klimt that was long believed to be lost has been sold at an auction in Vienna for 30 million euros ($32 million). The Austrian modernist artist started work on the “Portrait of Fräulein Lieser” in 1917, the year before he died, and it is one of his last works. (AP Photo/Christian Bruna)
Auctioneer Michael Kovacek declares the sale of the painting 'Portrait of Fräulein Lieser' by Austrian painter Gustav Klimt during an auction, in Vienna, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. A portrait of a young woman by Gustav Klimt that was long believed to be lost has been sold at an auction in Vienna for 30 million euros ($32 million). The Austrian modernist artist started work on the “Portrait of Fräulein Lieser” in 1917, the year before he died, and it is one of his last works. (AP Photo/Christian Bruna)
A man looks at the painting 'Portrait of Fräulein Lieser' by Austrian painter Gustav Klimt prior to an auction, in Vienna, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. A portrait of a young woman by Gustav Klimt that was long believed to be lost has been sold at an auction in Vienna for 30 million euros ($32 million). The Austrian modernist artist started work on the “Portrait of Fräulein Lieser” in 1917, the year before he died, and it is one of his last works. (AP Photo/Christian Bruna)
