Natural Pearls of Duchess of Abercorn to be sold at Christie's

As a proud Anglo-Russian who counted the Imperial Royal Family and celebrated author Alexander Pushkin as her ancestors, it is is unsurprising that Alexandra Anastasia, Duchess of Abercorn, cultivated an impeccable collection of artworks and jewellery from her grandparents' homeland. Yet aside from her numerous pieces from the celebrated Russian jeweller Fabergé, the Duchess also had a penchant for pearls, with three of her necklaces making up Christie's next Handbags and Jewellery auction.

With an estimated value of between £175,000 - £200,000, the three natural pearl necklaces were inherited by the Duchess via her maternal great grandmother, Alice Sedgwick Mankiewicz. Alice had married Julius Charles Werner, who had worked in the diamond trade in South Africa before acquiring a controlling interest De Beers Consolidated Mines. He was made a baronet in 1905 and amassed an impressive art collection with his wealth.

Source: https://www.tatler.com/article/alexandra-anastasia-duchess-of-abercorn-pearls-auction