Maria Callas Collection
Title: Ruby and Diamond Bracelet
Designed as a graduated articulated band of cushion-shaped rubies, edged
by undulating lines of baguette diamonds.
Estimate: CHF 65,000 - 105,000
USD 50,000 - 80,000
£ 28,000 - 45,000
€ 43,000 - 69,000
Image Courtesy: Sotheby's
Magnificent Jewels including Jewels from the Collection of Maria
Callas Auction
Wednesday November 17, 2004
Hotel Beau-Rivage, Geneva
Sotheby's
Biography
Maria Callas (1923-1977) the greatest operatic soprano talent of the ages
loved to collect and wear the finest jewelry.
She was born in New York to Greek immigrant parents. After they divorced
she moved with her mother and sister to Greece in 1937. Soon she began her
opera training at the National Conservatory in Athens under the tutelage of
Elvira de Hidalgo.
Maria Callas returned to the US in 1944. A few years later on April 21
1949, she married Giovanni Battista Meneghini, an Italian
industrialist and most importantly for Maria, an Opera lover. The Callas
part of the auction includes 11 items. Most of the jewelry that are in that portion of the auction are pieces given to Maria Callas by her husband during
the 1950's.
The couple separated in 1959 and later divorced. Maria Callas had met and
fell in love with Greek shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis. It was believed
the couple would marry but they never did. The relationship ended and
Onassis subsequently married Jacqueline Kennedy, widow of the late US
President John F. Kennedy, in 1968.
Maria Callas continued to perform, her last public performance was in
Japan, in 1974. She died in Paris in 1977.
The Callas Collection
Title: Diamond Earclips
Each cluster decorated with pear-shaped and brilliant-cut diamonds
Estimate: CHF 105,000 - 180,000
USD 80,000 - 140,000
£ 45,000 - 78,000
€ 68,000 - 120,000
Image Courtesy: Sotheby's
Rubies and Diamonds are the predominant gems in the collection that is
about to go beneath the auctioneer's gavel in Geneva. One stand-out is the
bracelet of cushion-shaped rubies and baguette diamonds that was a favorite
piece of the soprano.
The highlight of the Callas Auction is expected to be a marquise-shaped
diamond ring with a weight of approximately 11.7 carats.
Maria Callas often performed whilst wearing an emerald and diamond
necklace which is in the auction.
Her jewelry was bequeathed 27 years ago to a member of her inner circle.
This is their first appearance ever at auction.
Magnificent Jewels
The auction includes several other stunning pieces of jewelry including
the following items.
A pair of ruby and diamond earclips, mounted by Cartier, once owned by
the Duchess of Windsor are included in the Magnificent Jewels Auction. They
did form part of the 1987 auction of the Duchess's collection by Sotheby's
Geneva.
A Van Cleef & Arpels, Paris, platinum and diamond necklace is in
the sale. It can be turned into a tiara and worn as such.
A diamond and yellow sapphire parure featuring a necklace and pair of
diamond earclips are included, called the "Roi Soleil". They were designed
by Victoire de Castellane for Christian Dior.
The Callas Collection is a small but integral part of the exciting
Magnificent Jewels auction to be held at Sotheby's Geneva!
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