Sotheby's Auction: "A Tsar’s Treasure: Ferdinand of Bulgaria (1861-1948)"

Sotheby’s just announced an auction that promises to transport us into the opulent world of European royalty: A Tsar’s Treasure: Ferdinand of Bulgaria (1861-1948). This remarkable collection features some of the most exquisite royal and noble jewels ever to be presented at auction, making it a significant event for collectors and historians alike.

Continuing the narrative begun with the successful Vienna 1900: An Imperial and Royal Collection auction last year at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Geneva, this latest offering consists of 114 meticulously curated lots. Each piece encapsulates nearly a century of history from the illustrious family of Tsar Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, reflecting his unique taste and the influence of his mother, Princess Clementine of Orleans—an avid jewellery collector in her own right.

This exceptional collection not only showcases pieces personally owned by Tsar Ferdinand but also features heirlooms that have been passed down through generations, including stunning items crafted for his daughters, Princesses Eudoxia and Nadezhda. The collection serves as a vivid testament to the vital role that high jewellery played in the lives of the most prominent royal families across 19th and early 20th-century Europe, both in ceremonial and everyday settings.

Life at court was synonymous with elegance, where even the simplest of items were transformed into works of art. This collection stands out for its sophistication and international character, boasting pieces from renowned Austro-Hungarian jewellers and leading artisans of the time, such as Bapst, Eugène Fontenay, Froment-Meurice, and Castellani. The jewels are particularly remarkable for their use of high-quality coloured diamonds and gemstones, which held a special appeal for Tsar Ferdinand.

Among the many treasures, one standout piece is a yellow gold tie pin featuring a fleur-de-lis motif, set with a stunning 2.08-carat pear-shaped Fancy Gray-Blue diamond alongside four additional coloured diamonds. With an estimated value of $500,000 to $700,000, this exquisite item exemplifies how Tsar Ferdinand elevated everyday accessories into extraordinary expressions of art.

The auction, carrying an estimate of $1.2 million to $1.8 million, will take place on November 13 as part of the Royal and Noble Jewels Sale at the Mandarin Oriental during Sotheby’s Luxury Sales in Geneva. Before the auction, this exceptional collection will be exhibited at Sotheby’s locations around the globe, beginning in New York from October 9 to 10, followed by stops in Singapore, Taipei, London, and Dubai.

Sotheby’s is collaborating once more with the Philipp Württemberg Art Advisory GmbH, building on the success of last year's Vienna 1900 auction, which achieved a remarkable white-glove result.

Andres White Correal, Sotheby’s Chairman of Jewellery for Europe and the Middle East and Head of Noble Jewels, expressed his enthusiasm: “‘A Tsar’s Treasure: Ferdinand of Bulgaria’ is a unique continuation of ‘Vienna 1900: An Imperial and Royal Collection’, offering us a privileged glimpse into the Tsar’s refined lifestyle, comprising jewels and objects that were illustrative of his personal life. His collection is a confluence of the most prominent Central European Royal families’ passion for extraordinary objects. Here, excellence, taste and superlative craftsmanship are the common thread. It is an honour for Sotheby’s Royal and Noble Jewels to bring such a rare collection to the market for the first time”.

Philipp Württemberg added, “This collection of jewels has never left the family of Tsar Ferdinand of Bulgaria. It is a very intimate ensemble. Some pieces belonged to Tsar Ferdinand’s wife or mother, but many of others show his personal choice and taste, like the fabulous coloured diamond pin or the extraordinary collection of cufflinks.”

As we approach the auction date, anticipation grows for this rare opportunity to acquire a piece of royal history, inviting collectors to indulge in the grandeur of a bygone era.