This pair of earrings is set with two exceptional sapphires, each estimated at 55 carats. The most simple of mounts highlights the true beauty of these stones in both colour and size.

It is extremely unusual for such jewels to have survived intact through the centuries, always remaining in the same family. Most often, they are transformed, divided, resized or simply sold.

The discovery of these earrings brings to light a little bit of history on one of the world’s prominent families from the past and whose valuables were passed down through the generations. Research back to the first third of the 19th century revealed a portrait of a princess wearing these jewels that had been carefully preserved. The earrings have never appeared on the market until this day.

In 1831 the Polish artist Jan Nepomuk Glowacki immortalised Princess Isabela Sanguszko, née Princess Lubomirska (1808-1868), wearing two sapphire drops on her ears. The portrait has followed the jewels since the 19th century, allowing the family to identify them and keep a souvenir of their ancestor.

The Lubomirski family is a very old and important Polish family that dates back to the 10th century. Their fortune and influence grew over several centuries to such an extent that in 1647 Stanislaw Lubomirski received the title of Prince of the Holy Empire from Ferdinand III of Habsburg. It is linked to the largest ruling dynasties in Europe: Capetian, Bourbon, Hohenzollern...

From this prestigious lineage, Princess Lubomirska married Prince Wladyslaw Hieronyi Sanguszko (1803-1870), who himself came from a Polish princely family. She was the daughter of Henryk Ludwik Lubomirski (1777-1850), a great patron of the arts whose portrait was painted by Elisabeth Vigée-Lebrun entitled "Genius of Fame".

According to family tradition, upon the death of Princess Isabela Maria Sanguszko, the earrings were passed on to her younger sister, Jadwiga Julia Wanda Lubomirska (1815-1895), third wife of Prince Eugene I of Ligne, and then to their daughter Marie Georgine Sophie Hedwige Princesse de Ligne (1843-1898). It was in 1862 at the castle of Beloeil, Belgium that Princess Marie de Ligne married the grandfather of the current owner and the earrings would continue on their path within the same family.

These impressive sapphire drops are mounted in such a way that the colour and transparency are enhanced without being obstructed by metal or other stones. The mounts were transformed at the end of the 19th or early 20th century probably to strengthen and bring them up to date, adapting them to the faster paced lifestyles of the Belle Époque or the Roaring Twenties.

This particular shade of blue is synonymous with royalty and prestige. No other stone seems able to imitate such a colour which has always attracted those in powerful positions.

From the High Middle Ages until the mid-19th century, sources of good quality sapphire were rare and most of them came from Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). As early as the 4th century, the trade in stones from this region was already international, spreading from Asia to Europe via the Middle East through the Silk Road. From the 15th century onwards, sea routes became more widely used and trade intensified.

In our opinion, these sapphires originate from Ceylon and do not seem to have undergone any treatment to improve their colour. The fact that these sapphires form an almost identical pair in colour and weight gives this historic jewel the title of ‘Exceptional Object’.

An important Art Deco necklace set with an old-mine-cut 14ct (approx.) diamond and two Colombian 75ct and 78ct (approx.) drop emeralds accompanied by SSEF certificate no. 87466 dated 2 September 2016 stating a moderate amount of oil. The whole necklace is set with 8/8 baguette cut diamonds (additional links). Length 35.5-45.5 cm, height of pendants: 7 and 9 cm

An important Bird of Paradise brooch by Cartier, Paris circa 1940-1950, the bird in 18k yellow and white gold; the head set with an emerald-cut emerald (approx. 0.5 ct) and a brilliant-cut diamond paved crest, the neck and tail rings set with brilliant-cut diamonds and the chest plumage strands accentuated with two rows of cabochon rubies, fine plaited link chains with staggered ends form the tail feathers highlighted with brilliant-cut diamonds, signed and numbered 010591, h. 9.5 cm, 58g, fitted case  

Bague or gris 750 sertie d'un diamant taille rose ovale (3.61 carats) épaulé de diamants taille rose goutte et de diamants taille 8/8, doigt 47-7, 10g