Princess Diana
This special gem is now up for auction
Princess Diana performing in 1987.
© imago/ZUMA Wire
A cross worn by Princess Diana could fetch up to £120,000 at an auction in London.
At Sotheby’s annual “Royal and Noble” auction in London, the focus this time is the “Attallah” cross. The jeweled piece of jewelery was reportedly worn on a necklace by Princess Diana (1961-1997) on several occasions. The cross belonged to former boss of jewelers Asprey & Garrard, late businessman Naim Attallah (1931-2021). The estimated price is according to the auction house at 80,000 to 120,000 pounds (about 90,000 to 136,000 euros). The auction will therefore start on January 6th.
“Jewellery owned or worn by the late Princess Diana is very rare to come onto the market, especially a piece like the Attallah Cross that is so colourful, bold and distinctive,” explained Kristian Spofforth by Sotheby’s London according to “Forbes”. “In a way, this unusual pendant symbolizes the princess’ growing confidence in her choice of clothing and jewelry at a special moment in her life.”
Diana wore the cross at a charity gala in 1987
The piece of jewelery is said to have been made in the 1920s. Princess Diana was seen wearing it at a charity gala in October 1987. She wore the pendant with a large pearl necklace. In addition, she presented a velvet dress in the baroque style of the label Catherine Walker in black and purple.
The cross was bought by Naim Attallah, who was a friend of Princess Diana. According to Sotheby’s, he is said to have lent her the piece of jewelery several times over the course of several years in order to present it at events. According to media reports, Diana is said to have been the only one who has ever worn the special jewelry. After the princess’s death in 1997, the cross is said not to have been seen in public again. The auction house calculates according to the Daily Mail with a large number of bidders.