Christie’s Geneva is set to auction five remarkable jewels from the prestigious Sassoon Family collection on November 12, 2024. One notable aspect of the collection is that each piece carries a unique backstory. The Sassoon family’s modern legacy traces back to the 1830s, when David Sassoon relocated from Baghdad to Mumbai, establishing a vast trading empire across Asia with his eight sons. These jewels, too, hold a remarkable history. At one point, the family nearly lost them during the war.
These jewels, purchased in the 1920s and 1930s, offer a rare glimpse into the splendor of early 20th-century luxury, an era known for its exquisite craftsmanship and use of large diamonds and fine gemstones. The collection’s highlight is a stunning Cartier Art Deco Indo-Persian Diamond Necklace, regarded as one of the most significant surviving Cartier diamond pieces from the early 20th century. Its design reflects a remarkable fusion of Eastern and Western aesthetics, a style highly popular at the time and deeply resonant with the Sassoon family’s heritage.
Featuring a series of large antique cushion-cut diamonds totaling approximately 130 to 140 carats, this necklace is exceptionally rare in retaining its original settings, a distinction few comparable pieces of the era share. For the first time ever, this extraordinary necklace will be available at auction and is expected to achieve between US$1,000,000–1,500,000.
The owners almost lost these jewels back in the 21st century. The bank, where they were stored, was completely destroyed during World War II. When the owner went to retrieve her belongings, she found the bank in ruins. Fortunately, a helpful policeman advised her to check with the local police station, where she discovered her deposit box had been safely transferred.
To her great relief, she was reunited with her jewels. Originally acquired by the current owner’s great-grandparents, these exceptional pieces reflect a legacy of fine taste for sapphires, emeralds, rubies, and diamonds. Family stories recall how they would frequently visit Cartier on Bond Street to discuss custom settings for their treasured gems.
Other highlights of the collection include an Art Deco Colombian Emerald and Diamond Brooch valued at $250,000; a Burmese Ruby and Diamond Necklace by Cartier London priced at $350,000; a stunning Diamond Tassel Necklace estimated at $300,000, and an Art Deco Colombian Emerald and Diamond Bracelet by Cartier London, with an estimated value of $400,000.