An auction of the jewels belonging to the last queen of Italy took place a few weeks ago by her daughter, Princess Marie Gabriella, in order to pay tax bills.

Top lot in the auction is a diamond tiara made by Faberge in 1895, which is valued at between £390,000 and £600,000, but is expected to fetch up to three times that amount. It contains rare tear-drop diamonds given by Tsar Alexander to the Empress Josephine.


The queen only ruled for 46 days before being deposed by the monarchy-tired Italians. Princess Marie recently garnered much attention for dis-inheriting her brother, the Crown Prince of the House of Savoy, Vittorio, after his scandal involving influence peddling with the Head of the House of Bulgaria, Simeon. These included seedy charges of corruption and even prostitution.

Still, as Mrs. Styuvesant-Fish can attest, it is not easy to part with items that defined one's family. I mean, what would she do if she had to auction off not only the jewels and furs, but the margarita glass collection. No doubt some snarky New York bitch will be seen at an "entertainment" function in this necklace soon. When asked, she will just say, "Oh, it's a little something that's been in the family". (for one week).

Postcript: The Empress Josephine Tiara, made by Fabergé in 1895, fetched $ 2.071.388. The buyer preferred to remain anonomous. The total sale of the collection sold for near 3.5 million.