Attallah cross pendant last worn by Princess Diana to be auctioned
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London: Attallah crucifix pendant, a big cross pendant, worn by Princess Diana on multiple occasions is being auctioned as part of the Sotheby's annual Royal and Noble sale. It is expected to fetch up to Rs 1.1 crore.
The auction will begin on January 6 and end on January 18.
The large piece of jewellery is encrusted with violet stones. It was owned by Naim Attallah, former Group Chief Executive of Asprey and Garrard. He frequently loaned it to Diana for events including the 1987 London charity gala.
The cross pendant was later passed down to Naim's son Ramsay Attallah. "Princess Diana and my father were friends and I remember that she often came to see him at the historic Garrard store on Regent Street, where his office was, and she would ask to borrow the pendant on several occasions. She really loved the piece," he told the Independent.
According to Sotheby's website, Princess Diana is the last person to wear the pendant. "To some extent, this unusual pendant is symbolic of the princess's growing self-assurance in her sartorial and jewellery choices at that particular moment in her life," said the head of jewellery at Sotheby's, Kristian Spofforth.
He added that the company is confident that this unique 1920s piece of jewellery by Garrard will attract a wide variety of bidders including royals and collectors. Speaking about its exceptional provenance, he said fans of the Princess are keen to share part of her history.