An auction of jewellery and personal effects belonging to Princess Soraya, the late second wife of the Shah of Iran, has far surpassed expectations, bringing in over six million dollars – more than double the estimated value of the estate. The three-day sale included a bidding war over a the star lot: a Harry Winston platinum ring featuring a 22.37-carat diamond, which sold for $838,350, nearly twice the expected amount.
Auction house Drouot Montaigne attributed the unbelievable sales to “the Soraya effect – the inestimable sentimental value associated with objects which belonged to the princess, especially from the Shah’s time.” Among the items sold was the princess’ Christian Dior wedding gown, along with a luxurious mink cape she wore on the day of her 1951 nuptials, purchased by the French fashion house which designed it for just over $4,000.
Though the princess’ spectacular jewellery collection – including a ruby brooch and earrings from Van Cleef & Arpels and a sapphire Bulgari necklace – sold for millions, oriental rugs were also snatched up for higher-than-expected amounts. One silk and wool piece went for $69,885, nearly sixteen times the estimated bid. “The rugs were mostly picked up by Iranian expatriates wanting a souvenir linked to Soraya, since she was their empress,” said an auction house representative.
Other luxury goods sold included 1985 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur, which went for over $59,000, quadruple its catalogue price.
Princess Soraya Esfandiari-Bakhtiari became empress of Iran in 1951, aged just 16, but was divorced by the Shah seven years later after she was unable to bear him an heir. The Iranian-born beauty, known as one of the most glamorous women of her day, lived as a queen in exile for the last three decades, until her death in Paris last year aged 69.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
