A father-in-law's wedding present - pearl and diamond pendant brooch, circa 1865

 

Pearl and diamond brooch, circa 1865. An unsigned piece accompanied by a fitted case stamped Emil Biedermann.

Auctioned at Sotheby's in November of 2023, the brooch sold for 863,600 Swiss francs against an estimate of 270,000 - 450,000.

Note the looped hooks attached to the backs of the top and second-from-the-top elements. This was to enable the second element to be detached, making the brooch's pendant shorter, or to be able to remove the entire pendant section so that the top element could be worn alone. 

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Maria Theresia, Duchess of Württemberg in 1875 wearing the brooch pinned to a neck ribbon.

Provenance:

Archduchess Maria Theresia of Austria-Teschen, Duchess of Württemberg (1845-1927) - received on the occasion of her marriage to Philipp, Duke of Württemberg (1838-1917) in 1865, a wedding present from her new father-in-law Alexander, Duke of Württemberg (1804-1881).

Archduchess Maria Immaculata of Austria-Tuscany, Duchess of Württemberg (1878-1968) - the daughter-in-law of above.