After an overwhelming response to my previous article on “Aga Khan Treasury”, I am excited to bring to you Part 2 of royal, magnificent and unique jewels from Aga Khan’s Treasury belonging to his second wife, Princess Gabriele of Leiningen, who was known as Begum Inaara Aga Khan.
In this article, I am featuring jewels from The “Superb Jewels from the Collection of HSH Gabriela Princess zu Leiningen” auctioned at Christie’s Jewels Geneva in April 2016. The collection displayed 46 lots, selected from Princess Gabriele of Leiningen’s unique and important collection from the house of Cartier, Boucheron, Van Cleef & Arpels and Tiffany & Co and more!
Featured above is Natural Pearl necklace, measuring approximately 11.05 to 4.90 mm, with old-cut diamond bar clasp, detachable to be worn as a two and three-strand separate necklace mounted in gold.
Princess Gabriele of Leiningen / Begum Inaara Aga Khan was the second wife of the Aga Khan IV the 49th Imam of the Nizari branch of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims. Before her second marriage with HH Prince Aga Khan in 1998, she became a consultant for UNESCO in Paris, advising on the promotion of equality and improved conditions for women. Thereafter, she converted to Islam and held the title, Begum Aga Khan.
Images 1 & 2: Persepolis necklace and pair of Persane earrings by Cartier. The first line of the necklace is set with alternate oval cabochon emeralds and oval-cut sapphires. The second line is sprinkled with rose-cut diamonds, suspending thirteen drops set with emeralds, sapphires, rose-cut diamonds and cultured pearls, to the similar set clasp and sapphire and emerald bead torsade necklace. The ‘Persane’ ear pendants, made with emerald cabochon drop suspended from a briolette-cut diamond and pearl line to the cultured pearl top, mounted in platinum and gold.
Image 3: A magnificent diamond and Burmese sapphire necklace by Cartier with a detachable pendant set with a cushion-shaped sapphire, weighing 55.61cts, a pear-shaped diamond weighing approximately 6.05 carats, and a cushion-shaped sapphire surmount, weighing approximately 3.48 carats. The necklace is made with a continuous line of graduated pear-shaped diamonds, mounted in platinum and gold. The earrings are made with detachable sapphires weighing 24.69 and 25.63 carats and the ring is embellished with 21.06cts sapphire and baguette-cut diamond, set in platinum.
Begum Inaara Aga Khan had one of kind jewellery collection, from HH Prince Aga Khan. Six years after their marriage in 2004 the couple got divorced.
Featured above is “The Pohl Diamond” an exceptional diamond ring by Cartier, set with a rectangular-cut diamond D VVS1, 36.09 cts, between tapered baguette-cut diamond.
Princess Gabriele of Leiningen has been supporting micro-loans and third world development projects through the German foundation Hilfe Zur Selbsthilfe which provides, loans to families and single parents; and works towards ending the cycle of poverty in developing countries like Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Montenegro, Pakistan, Romania, Thailand and Vietnam.
In 2004, Princess Inaara Foundation was founded. This organization is committed to supporting projects in both Germany and developing countries and to fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Princess Gabriele continues to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees for the German AIDS Foundation.
Cultured pearl and diamond fringe necklace, bangle and pair of earrings by Van Cleef & Arpels. Princess inherited the jewels from her grandmother in law, the Begum Om Habibeh Aga Khan (1906 – 2000), wife of Sultan Mohammed Aga Khan III.
The awards and recognitions that Princess Gabriele of Leiningen has been honoured are:
*”Reminders Day” award for her commitment, dedication, and relentless effort in the fight against HIV and AIDS in September 2006.
*She was named the “No.1” person of German Society by the German magazine “Gala.” in January 2007.
Image 1: Ruby and diamond Novelty brooch watch by Cartier. The brooch modelled as a violin is made with calibré-cut ruby belly and diamond fingerboard and tailpiece, along with pavé-set diamond ribs; opening on one side to reveal a watch. The Novelty brooch was owned by Begum Sultan Mohamed Shah Om Habibeh Aga Khan III.
Image 2: Novelty frog brooch by Cartier.
Image 3: A ruby, emerald, and diamond flower brooch by Robert Pouget.
With every article I curate on historical jewels, it fills me with immense joy! I’d like to THANK you all for your response on this journey too! On that note, today I would like to share two of my favourite jewels auctioned at Christie’s Geneva 2016; from The “Superb Jewels from the Collection of HSH Gabriela Princess zu Leiningen.”
Images 1: Magnificent Colombian emerald and diamond necklace by Cartier set in Platinum. The detachable cushion-shaped emerald pendant weighs approximately 39.70cts.
Images 2 & 3: A fringe of graduating Colombian emerald bead drops necklace; sprinkled with diamond briolette drops and pearls, accompanied with a bracelet and a pair of ear pendants, set in platinum and gold made by Cartier.
This wraps the part 2 series on Aga Khan Treasury, featuring the jewels of both his wives.
I’d love to know more about what you’d like to see ahead! Let’s start some ideas rolling around in the comments below?
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