Christie’s held the sale of the personal jewels of Umme Kulthum and the auction of International Modern and Contemporary Art recently, in joint effort with Credit Suisse. The sale comprised of rare coloured gemstones, natural pearls and watches by renowned watch manufacturers Patek Philippe, Breguet, Cartier and Rolex. Umme Kulthum is renowned as ‘The Shining Star of the Middle East’ (Kawab El Sharq) and the sale will have four items from her collection, of which, an emerald, diamond and pearl set is the most precious, bearing a price estimate of $40,000–60,000.
Her jewellery collection also included an Indian multi-strand pearl and turquoise necklace, with its front designed in a stylised peacock, and is estimated to cost between $15,000–25,000. Another remarkable piece is a cultured pearl and paste ‘festoon’ brooch, gifted by the late Shah of Iran, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi (1919-1980) to Umm Kulthum during his wedding to Princess Fawzia, the sister of King Farouk. It is estimated to cost between $3,000-5,000. A lady’s cultured pearl and diamond wristwatch is also included in the collection and is estimated to cost $4,000–6,000.