Christie’ s presents the largest and most valuable private jewellery collection to come to auction
MORE THAN 700 ICONIC JEWELS BY MASTERS OF A GENERATION BOIVIN * BULGARI * CARTIER * KÖCHERT * TIFFANY * HARRY WINSTON * VAN CLEEF & ARPELS DEVOTED TO PHILANTHROPY ALL OF THE ESTATE’S PROCEEDS WILL BENEFIT THE HEIDI HORTEN FOUNDATION IN VADUZ
Global – Christie’s is proud to present THE WORLD OF HEIDI HORTEN, the exquisite jewellery collection of the late Mrs. Heidi Horten (1941-2022). With a pre-sale estimate of more than $150 million, this unparalleled private jewellery collection is the largest and most valuable ever to come to auction, poised to join and eclipse the previous record sales at Christie’s for The Elizabeth Taylor Collection (2011) and the Maharajas & Mughal Magnificence auction (2019), which are the only two jewellery collections to date to achieve more than $100 million.
Consigned by the Heidi Horten Estate, and offered this May in Geneva, the Collection will be devoted to philanthropy, per Mrs. Horten’s wishes: all of the Estate’s proceeds will benefit The Heidi Horten Foundation, established in 2020 to support the museum of modern and contemporary art she founded in Vienna, Austria — The Heidi Horten Collection as well as medical research and other philanthropic activities, which has been supported by her for many decades.
Highlights include:
The stunning 90 carat Briolette of India Diamond Necklace by Harry Winston, originally sold by Cartier in 1909 (estimate on request)
A Three Strand Natural Pearl Necklace also by Harry Winston, highlighted by a cushion shaped pink diamond clasp of 11 carats (estimate US$7-10 million)
The Sunrise Ruby and Diamond ring of 25 carats by Cartier, pigeon blood in colour and of exceptional purity (estimate US$15-20 million)
A very important selection of Bulgari creations from the 1970s to present day, retracing more than five decades of the firm’s signature Italian craftsmanship
An exceptional Diamond Bracelet by Harry Winston (estimate US$5-7 million)
The Great Mughal Emerald Pendant Necklace by Harry Winston (estimate US$500,000- 700,000)
Anthea Peers, President Christie’s EMEA, commented: “This is a historic moment for Christie’s to have the privilege of offering one of the world’s finest and most important jewellery collections originating from Europe. Furthermore, to witness a philanthropic effort of this scale is as rare as it is remarkable. Today, with the establishment of The Heidi Horten Foundation, the late Mrs. Horten has created an important framework to secure the operation of her museum for decades to come, ensuring the enjoyment of the arts for enthusiasts around the globe.”
Rahul Kadakia, Christie’s International Head of Jewellery, remarked: “The World of Heidi Horten is the collection of a lifetime. From Bulgari to Van Cleef & Arpels, from a small personal memory piece to the Briolette of India, this is a collector’s dream. Building from extraordinary early pieces she acquired in the 1970’s and 1980’s, Mrs. Horten continued to grow and curate her sophisticated collection, eloquently combining vintage and modern designs from the leading jewellery houses of the world that today represent some of the finest examples ever to come to market.”
Christie’s will present 400 of the 700 jewels across two live auctions at The Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues in Geneva during Luxury Week this spring, in addition to one online sale in May, followed by another online sale in November 2023. Part 1 of the auction series will begin on Wednesday 10 May, followed by a Part II live auction on Friday 12 May 2023.The first online sale will open 3 May, running until 15 May, to be followed by a second online sale in November offering the remaining jewels from the collection.
About Mrs. Heidi Horten (1941-2022)Heidi Horten (née Jelinek) was born and raised in Vienna, Austria. She attended the Hospitality Management School of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and went on to work as a secretary in a Viennese law firm. From an early age, Heidi Horten was exposed to objects of great beauty, first through her father, who was an engraver, and later during her first marriage (to Helmut Horten), when she began to refine her eye for jewellery and works of art. After Mr. Horten’s death, Mrs. Horten was passionately involved in areas as diverse as social welfare, sports and medical research, which had been supported by her for decades. As of the 1990s, Mrs. Horten began building her private collection of modern and contemporary art. Her first significant independent art purchases were works by Moise Kiesling and Emmanuel Mané-Katz, acquired at auction in Tel Aviv in 1994. Her collection grew steadily over the following two decades, and, in 2018, was first unveiled to the public when a selection of 175 works was presented at the Leopold Museum under the title WOW! Moved by the tremendous success of the exhibition, Mrs. Horten began to plan for the future of her artworks, establishing a permanent home for them at The Heidi Horten Collection, modern art museum in Vienna. The grand opening took place on 2 June 2022, which Mrs. Horten proudly attended online, just ten days before she passed away.
Auction Dates Geneva May 2023:
The World of Heidi Horten Magnificent Jewels
07 May: Geneva View opens 14 May: Geneva View opens
10 May: Part I Auction at 2.00pm 17 May: Magnificent Jewels auction
12 May: Part II Auction at 4.00pm 14-22 May: Online auction: The Geneva Edit 03-15 May: Online sale: The World of Heidi Horten
Auction and exhibition venue:
Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues, Quai des Bergues 1201 Geneva
(This story has not been edited by News Mania staff and is published from a Media Release)
