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Post by seat6 on Nov 13, 2018 0:11:19 GMT -4
The part about the Bourbon-Parmas being descended from a pope amused me.
From Pope Paul III’s Wikipedia entry:
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Post by Oxynia on Nov 13, 2018 0:25:19 GMT -4
Some lovely items in that auction but I can't get past the name...I just think of ham.
I'll show myself out.
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boxofrocks
Blueblood
Posts: 1,769
Aug 25, 2007 11:01:39 GMT -4
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Post by boxofrocks on Nov 13, 2018 5:36:57 GMT -4
Why would a storied family like this one sell long-held valuables? Are there cash flow issues?
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Post by ladyboy on Nov 13, 2018 12:43:20 GMT -4
Some lovely items in that auction but I can't get past the name...I just think of ham. I'll show myself out. Mmm, alcohol and ham... and diamonds and rubies.. I can't think of anything better! |
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Post by riosamba on Nov 13, 2018 20:10:54 GMT -4
Why would a storied family like this one sell long-held valuables? Are there cash flow issues? I would guess yes. Sometimes you have to sell things or marry a duty-free heiress (not naming names or anything). However, my original post was not really correct, because while the really exciting jewels are Bourbon-Parma jewels, and that's how Sotheby's is billing the sale, it's most likely the Bourbon-Two Sicilies heirs that are selling them off. All or most of the jewels belonged to Infanta Alicia, Dowager Duchess of Calabria. She died at 99 in 2017, and Google says she had three children, seventeen grandchildren, and thirty-eight great grandchildren. Her husband's mother Infante Mercedes was twice the heiress presumptive to the Spanish throne, which is probably why Mercedes' husband was made an Infante of Spain (Interesting side note, Infanta Alicia's funeral was the first time in five years that Felipe has been seen in the same room with his disgraced sister Cristina). But AFAIK Alicia's heirs are far removed from any reigning succession, and the Spanish crown is not a very rich one. One of her granddaughters is: Her Imperial and Royal Highness Archduchess María of Austria, Princess Imperial of Austria, Princess Royal of Hungary and Bohemia, Princess of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Grandee of Spain. That's a whole lot of title, but the last Emperor of Austria was lucky to escape with his family and his life, eventually dying in greatly reduced circumstances in exile at Madeira. The current Bourbon-Parmas are also members of the Dutch Royal Family (some of the generations are Dutch princes/princesses with HRH), and several of them have had interesting and challenging jobs with the U.N., various charities, and NGOs. I think they are a little better off than the Bourbon-Two Sicilies. One of them is the Dutch ambassador to the Vatican. The multi-billionaire Luxembourg royals also descend from the Bourbon-Parmas, but they are officially of the House of Orange. All of that said, I'm guessing at the finances, and guessing that Infanta Alicia left her jewels to her direct descendants. And the finances can be surprising, like they may only be Serenes, but Albert of Monaco has a fortune twice as big as the Queen Elizabeth's ($500 million), and Hans-Adam of Lichtenstein probably has upwards of $8 billion. The Bourbon-Parmas and Bourbon-Two Sicilies are filled with drama and scandal if you ever want to disappear down a rabbit hole. Start with Princess Irene of the Netherlands and work backwards. I think we should make up a cocktail recipe to be named after each House. It just feels right. Topic? Infanta Alicia received a stunning sapphire tiara by Chaumet as a wedding gift from her husband. It was sold in 1982. There was a parure, but I can only find black and white images. |
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Post by divasahm on Nov 14, 2018 9:03:57 GMT -4
Some lovely items in that auction but I can't get past the name...I just think of ham. I'll show myself out. Mmm...reminds me of the Bourbon-Bacon Turkey that a friend of mine made last week as a trial run for Thanksgiving dinner... |
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Post by riosamba on Nov 14, 2018 14:51:55 GMT -4
I’m watching live and the bidding is fast and furious. Way over estimates. ETA: Well, that was fun! The sale total was 53,203,653USD. Almost everything went for well over estimate, some things to dizzying heights. The Exceptional and highly important natural pearl and diamond pendant, 18th century brought the highest price at 36,165,090USD I would not want to wear anything of Marie-Antoinette's, but there were so many other gorgeous and important pieces. I love a good auction! I'm sure Alicia's heirs are very pleased with the results. |
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Post by Babycakes on Dec 4, 2018 18:35:53 GMT -4
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Post by riosamba on Dec 4, 2018 19:31:09 GMT -4
I puffy heart love Kate's dress, and I love seeing her in the Lovers' Knot tiara. It suits her and I love the association with Diana. Camilla once again carries off the big Greville. I guess it's the scale of her hair.
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Post by Babycakes on Dec 4, 2018 19:40:21 GMT -4
I puffy heart love Kate's dress, and I love seeing her in the Lovers' Knot tiara. It suits her and I love the association with Diana. Camilla once again carries off the big Greville. I guess it's the scale of her hair. Am I to assume that the "Lover's Knot" tiara was a special made piece for Diana, and passed to William after her death, and not the Spencer tiara that gets loaned out from time to time? Keeping track of all this bling is confusing. lol |
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