Almost a year after her disappearance, the incredible jewelry collection of Heidi Horten, an Austrian billionaire whose fortune was estimated in 2020 at 3 billion dollars, will be auctioned in May by Christie's.
Under the name “The World of Heidi Horten Magnificent Jewels” hides the biggest auction of a complete collection of jewels.
Christie's has chosen to orchestrate this exceptional sale, i.e. 700 pieces from the finest houses - Cartier, Tiffany & Co, Harry Winston, Van Cleef & Arpels or Bulgari - in two stages.
A first sale will be held on May 10 at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues in Geneva, followed by a second on May 12.
Bulgari earrings composed of 29.06 and 23.18 carat sapphires, emeralds and diamonds Christie's Photo presse
Strong preference for the 1980s
Art collector, Heidi Horten has also brought together the most beautiful ornaments, between elegance and refinement.
The esthete who passed away last year sharpened her eye from an early age, with her engraver father.
Then with her husband, the businessman Helmut Horten, whom she married in 1966 at the age of 19 and from whom she will receive an imposing inheritance on his death in 1987. This collection of jewelry also bears witness to the jewelry history, from the 1970s to the present day with a marked preference for the 1980s which are embodied before our eyes, between maximalist lines and XXL gems.
As proof, the many pieces of the Italian house Bulgari, known for its excess and extravagance.
Harry Winston's solitaire ring made of a 20.06 carat pink diamond Press photo / Christie's
For the benefit of the Heidi Horten Foundation
The sale presents in majesty exceptional stones including an incredible diamond, the Briolette from India of 90 carats at Harry Winston or the Sunrise Ruby which is none other than the most expensive ruby in the world, mounted on a Cartier ring.
The case also reveals a certain taste for cultured pearls, present in different batches.
Among the remarkable pieces, note this necklace of colored diamonds, acquired from Cecile von Croy in 2019, whose sale is estimated between 2.7 and 4.5 million Swiss francs (4.57 million euros) and a brooch signed Bulgari estimated between 4.5 and 6.5 million euros.
In accordance with the last wishes of the philanthropist, the profits collected will be donated to the Heidi Horten Foundation, created in 2021 to support medical research but also other causes such as
Necklace The Great Mughal by Harry Winston composed of an engraved emerald and diamonds.
Christie's press photo