The elaborate gold, silver, amethyst and diamond pendant will be auctioned at Sotheby’s London next month as part of its upcoming Royal and Noble Auctions, making it the One of the few jewels sold at auction. “It’s a remarkable piece in itself, but when Princess Diana wore it, it really became an iconic piece of jewelry,” said Kristian Spofforth, head of jewelry at Sotheby’s in London. The work will be auctioned on January 6, with a guide price of £120,20 to £80, . But Spofforth suspects it might have sold more, given its provenance. “Twenty-five years after her death, people are still talking about Princess Diana,” he said, adding that many visitors at Sotheby’s Tiara exhibition earlier this year were overwhelmed by a display of the rare Spencer tiara. Moved to tears, Diana wore it on her wedding day.
In the photo here, Diana wears the Attallah Cross to a charity ball to help birthrights, she becomes a patron of the women’s health charity 1984 . The event was held at former Crown jeweler Garrard’s Regent Street venue and, as usual, Diana was the belle of the ball. It was a particularly appropriate choice on this occasion, as the cross is believed to have been created by Garrard himself in the early 20 century. Not much is known about the Renaissance-inspired design, but according to Spoffforth, it was likely a special commission — perhaps even a reproduction of a historic piece.
Either way, it’s the perfect accessory to Diana’s theatrical gown, which was designed by Catherine Walker – one of her favorite couturiers – people think She chose to tie it around herself as a long pearl necklace. “It shows how Princess Diana wore her jewelry both reverently and playfully, not just a nod to fashion that we see in the mischievous ways she wore precious and costume jewelry,” said author and jewelry historian Vivienne Becker said. “The size and impact of this cross, unusually worn on a long necklace, also alludes to Madonna’s 120 style and star quality. Beyond that, amethyst symbolizes royalty— Amethyst has traditionally been associated with clergy and royalty.”
