Cleopatra's treasures

Cleopatra was famous and notorious in her day for her great beauty and her courage. Seeking to prove the wealth and power of Egypt, she made a bet with Marc Anthony on who could serve the most expensive dinner. She won by crushing and drinking down a large, precious pearl from one of her earrings. It could have been one the two certified, drop-shaped, natural pearl ear pendants with rose-cut diamonds that are offered for sale at the auction in January.

The natural pearl is very rare and for thousands of years it has been admired for its beautiful sparkle which has made it a queen among jewels. It is a myth that the pearl is created from a small grain of sand. Rather, it comes from a very small piece of the clam's own tissue that penetrates into the interior of the clam. In order to protect itself, the clam then coats this tissue in pearl material, and thereby a natural pearl is created. Pearls have always been shrouded in mystery and poetry, and according to an old legend, pearls are born from dew and shafts of morning sun.

The shape and the radiance of the pearl determine its value. Traditionally, pearls are divided into seven time-honoured shapes of which the completely round and smooth variety is held to be the finest, although baroque pearls can be just as beautiful in their own way. An example of this is the auction's 7-rowed pearl necklace with natural semi-baroque pearls adorned with ruby and diamond lock.

The jewellery auction in January also features several distinguished Art Déco jewels, including a diamond and pearls brooch with a Colombian emerald. The emerald was Cleopatra's favourite stone, since it was said to bestow eternal beauty and everlasting youth. The emerald has always been considered one of the most valuable and cherished precious stones, especially the Colombian emerald because of its beautiful colour caused by a small element of chrome. A signed Art Déco Tiffany & Co. sapphire and brilliant bracelet is also offered for sale. Together, these two pieces of jewellery demonstrate the range of the Art Déco idiom. This style was eclectic and inspired by several different historical styles, from the Egyptian civilisations to contemporary art and streamlined industrial design. Art Déco was characterised by exotic and expensive materials and was primarily meant for the intellectual upper-classes of the 1920's and the 1930's in the U.S. and France.

In addition, the auction in Vejle presents a number of certified diamond and brilliant rings in the deluxe class, a beautiful tiara with three larger 3.5 ct old-cut diamonds and wristwatches from Boucheron, Patek Philippe, Cartier Balmain, Versace, Rolex and Baum-Mercier.

Welcome to Vejle for the first jewellery auction in 2008 at which a great number of jewellery with soul, class and style is waiting for new owners.

Read more about the auction