Sotheby’s to auction one of the world’s largest and most important yellow diamonds at its Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels Sale in Geneva
s part of its flagship Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels sale, Sotheby’s is bringing to auction one of the largest and most historically significant yellow diamonds ever discovered. Of South African origin and most likely mined over one hundred years ago, the Allnatt (estimate 5.6 M – 6.5 M CHF) – lot 610 in the sale – is a sensational 101.29-carat Fancy Vivid Yellow diamond mounted as a brooch by the esteemed house of Cartier.
The legendary jewel will be making its first appearance on the market in nearly 30 years.
Celebrated for its richly saturated golden colour, the Allnatt is named after its first documented owner, Major Alfred Ernest Allnatt, a renowned British sportsman, racehorse owner, philanthropist, collector, and patron of the arts. Allnatt acquired the diamond in the early 1950s and proceeded to have it mounted as a brooch by Cartier.
The brooch’s floral design is highly reminiscent of the mounting Cartier created during the same years of production (1952-1953) to showcase another historic diamond, the Williamson Pink. The future Queen Elizabeth II received the extraordinary pink diamond as a wedding present in 1947 and subsequently had it mounted by Cartier as a brooch which she wore throughout her long and prosperous reign.
The exceptional qualities of the Allnatt have afforded it to be included in prestigious exhibitions such as ‘The Splendor of Diamonds’ staged in 2003 at the Smithsonian Museum of National History in Washington DC. The exhibition showcased seven of the most celebrated diamonds representing the best specimens in their respective colours.
Sotheby’s Geneva biannual flagship Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels Live Sale will take place on 14 May at the Mandarin Oriental hotel, during which the dazzling Allnatt yellow diamond brooch will be auctioned.
