Christie’s Heidi Horten Sale Poised to Achieve a Record $150 Million

By Annie Davidson Watson | April 04, 2023

Christie’s has had its fair share of record-breaking events: Elizabeth Taylor’s sale topped $145 million, and the Maharajas & Mughal Magnificence auction achieved $110 million. But after those, nothing comes close. Until now. This May, Christie’s is hosting The World of Heidi Horten in Geneva, with an estimate of a whopping $150 million.

Harry Winston The Briolette of India — Harry Winston Briolette of India necklace (with detachable portions that can be worn as bracelets) in platinum with a 90.38 ct. briolette-cut diamond and marquise and pear-shape diamonds (estimate on request)

The sale offers over 700 jewels from the collection of Heidi Horten, the late widow of a German department store tycoon.

Harry Winston pearl necklace — *Harry Winston necklace in white gold with natural and cultured pearls and an 11.15 ct. fancy light pink cushion modified brilliant-cut diamond (estimate on request)*

“The World of Heidi Horten is the collection of a lifetime,” said Rahul Kadakia, Christie’s international head of jewelry, in a statement. “From Bulgari to Van Cleef & Arpels, from a small personal memory piece to the Briolette of India, this is a collector’s dream. Building from extraordinary early pieces she acquired in the 1970s and 1980s, Mrs. Horten continued to grow and curate her sophisticated collection, eloquently combining vintage and modern designs from the leading jewelry houses of the world that today represent some of the finest examples ever to come to market.”

*Bulgari brooch in platinum with a 5.14 ct. fancy intense orange pear brilliant-cut diamond, a 5 ct. fancy intense purple-*pink modified heart portrait-cut diamond, a 4.26 ct. fancy blue marquise brilliant-cut diamond, a 3.82 ct. fancy intense yellow marquise brilliant-cut diamond, and baguette and round diamonds (estimate on request)

Per Horten’s wishes, all proceeds from the auction will benefit the Heidi Horten Foundation—founded in 2020 to support the Heidi Horten Collection, a contemporary and modern art museum she established in Vienna—or go to medical research.

Bulgari necklace in 18k yellow gold with a 37.84 ct. cushion-shape modified brilliant-cut sapphire; a 33.59 ct. Padparadscha sapphire; a 33.2 ct. emerald; 2.85 ct., 1.55 ct., and 1.51 ct. pear brilliant-cut diamonds; a 1.53 ct. marquise brilliant-cut diamond; round and square emeralds; and marquise-shape, baguette-cut, and round diamonds (price on request)

“This is a historic moment for Christie’s to have the privilege of offering one of the world’s finest and most important jewelry collections originating from Europe,” said Anthea Peers, president of Christie’s EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa). “Furthermore, to witness a philanthropic effort of this scale is as rare as it is remarkable. With the establishment of the Heidi Horten Foundation, the late Mrs. Horten has created an important framework to secure the operation of her museum for decades to come, ensuring the enjoyment of the arts for enthusiasts around the globe.”

Top: Heidi Horten wearing a 63 ct. emerald necklace (© Heidi Horten Foundation; jewelry photos courtesy of Christie’s)

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