Born in 1905 as Countess Natalia Pavlovna von Hohenfelsen, the niece of Czar Nicholas II escaped Russia with her life alongside her mother and sister. The family lived in Parisian exile during the 1920s, and Princess Natalie later moved to London to pursue a career in modeling. Her work reaches brands like Steichen and Horst and Beaton. She later met Broadway John C. "Jack" Wilson, and the couple was married in 1937 in their Fairfield, Connecticut home. The jewelry and fashion collection of Princess Natalie are now coming to the Sotheby's auctioning block this holiday season.
According to Sotheby's Frank Everett during an interview with Town and Country Magazine, “Princess Natalie Paley was undoubtedly one of the 20th Century’s most stylish women, as well as very close friend of Fulco di Verdura.”
Among the jewelry is a Maltese cross style brooch emblazoned with diamond and emerald as well as a large aqua and emerald pin.“The Verdura pieces in this collection represent not only her fabulous mid-century style but also their relationship as artist and patron,” says Everett of these recent pieces on the December auctioning block. “It is remarkable that any of her collection remains with her family, but especially pieces with such an important history in the world of jewelry design.”
COO of Verdura Ward Landrigan, is especially curious about this latest collection of pieces since he is the owner of all of Fulco di Verdura's archives.
Another piece being auctioned off is a photograph taken in 1931when Verdura, Princess Baba de Faucigny-Lucinge and Natalie Paley attended the Colonial Ball. "It so much about their flair and style," says Landrigan. "Natalie Paley’s jewelry collection mirrors perfectly her inimitable style. In it, you can see the milestones of Verdura’s entire career—a love of big colored stones, the signature Maltese cross, and his collaboration with Salvador Dali. ”
Princess Natalie Paley's collection will be auctioned during Sotheby's Magnificent Jewels Sale in New York, with a publicly open preview window from December 5th to the 9th. Curious New Yorkers will be able to gaze upon the historical majesty of the jewelry. The auction itself begins on December 10th, 2019.
Information originally sourced from Town and Country.
