After Marilyn Monroe and Lady Di, Kim Kardashian bought the Attallah crucifix on Thursday November 19, worn by the princess in 1987, for €187,000. This piece was sold by Sotheby’s auction house. A few months ago, the new owner had already put on an iconic dress worn by Marilyn Monroe in 1962.
Before landing in the hands of Kim Kardashian, the crucifix was the property of businessman Naim Attallah, who died in 2021. This Palestinian-Briton acquired it after Diana’s death, and his collection is put on display. sale by Sotheby’s today. The money collected will therefore neither go to the monarchy nor to the descendants of the princess.
.@KimKardashian has bought a pendant previously worn by Princess Diana. The amethyst and diamond-encrusted Attallah crucifix was created by @GarrardLondon and apparently loaned to Diana by its owner several times. @sothebys confirm that it sold today by auction for $197,453. pic.twitter.com/rVRUrKxO8F
— Omid Scobie (@scobie) January 18, 2023
Official supplier of royal jewelry
Apart from the princess, “hardly anyone could afford this pendant,” said Ramsay Attallah, son of the previous owner. Some experts also believe that Lady Di is the only one to have ever worn it. In any case, he has not been seen in public since his death. Its ex-owner Naim Attallah was deputy managing director of Asprey & Garrard, two jewelers united in 1990 and separated in 2002.
Long before this merger, Garrard was the official supplier of jewelery to the British monarchy. He was also responsible for maintaining the Crown Jewels from 1843 to 2007. It was this jeweler who made Attallah’s crucifix, probably in the 1920s, and loaned it to the princess in 1987 .
Little is known about this Renaissance-inspired piece. According to Kristian Spofforth, head of jewelry at Sotheby’s, it could have been a special order, and even the replica of a historical piece. “It’s already an exceptional piece in itself, and as Princess Diana has worn it, it becomes truly emblematic,” says Kristian Spofforth.
Amethyst, symbol of royalty
The crucifix is made of gold, silver and 5.25 carats of diamonds, or 1.05 grams. The latter surround towering amethysts, a stone traditionally associated with the clergy and royalty. Until the Second Vatican Council, it adorned the pastoral ring of bishops. It was also worn by members of the English royal family from the Middle Ages, recalls the American Gem Society.
A representative of Kim Kardashian managed to acquire it for 163,800 pounds (about 187,000 €), significantly more than the estimate provided by Sotheby’s, between 90,320 and 135,480 pounds.
Nick Woodhouse, who runs Marilyn Monroe’s estate, tells @TMZ that Marilyn would’ve been thrilled to have seen Kim Kardashian wearing her iconic gown at the #MetGala. pic.twitter.com/bLmPZZYwRY
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) May 5, 2022
The American businesswoman had already shown her interest in fashion history when she wore a Marilyn Monroe dress at the Met Gala in May 2022. The famous actress wore it to sing her famous Happy Birthday Mr. President to John F. Kennedy, in 1962. The Rupley’s Museum, owner of the dress, then had to deny the accusations that Kim Kardashian had damaged it.
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