Kim Kardashian has added a piece of royal history to her jewelry collection after purchasing an Attallah cross that once belonged to the late Princess Diana. The reality star and businesswoman bought the gem during Sotheby’s London’s royal and noble auction for £163,800.
The pendant was originally made in the 1920s by court jewelers Garrard; and Diana famously wore it more than 60 years later, with a Catherine Walker dress, at the Birthright charity gala in October 1987.
The Attallah Cross is bold and colorful, crafted from square-cut amethysts and round-cut diamonds that make up its crisp floral details.
Tim Graham
The necklace was purchased in the 1980s by businessman Naim Attallah, who regularly lent pieces to Princess Diana to wear as they were good friends. Until now, the Attallah cross was worn only by the princess, and after her death it was never seen in public again, until this Sotheby’s auction.
“This is a bold piece of jewelery in its size, color and style that cannot fail to make a vivid statement, be it about faith or fashion – or indeed both,” explained Kristian Spofforth, head of jewelery at Sotheby’s London. “We are delighted that this work has found new life in the hands of another globally renowned name.”
Courtesy of Sotheby’s
This particular piece represents a pivotal point in Diana’s life, as she became more confident and expressive with her personal style.
“Jewellery owned or worn by the late Princess Diana very rarely comes to market, especially a piece like the Attallah Cross, which is so colourful, bold and distinctive,” explains Spofforth. “To some extent, this unusual pendant symbolizes the princess’s growing confidence in her choice of cuts and jewelry, at that particular time in her life.”
It’s not the first time Kardashian has shown her love for fashion history. In 2020, for the after party of the Oscars, she wore one of the most legendary dresses ever created, an Oyster dress by Alexander McQueen, which was given to her by her then-husband Kanye West. And last year, she walked the red carpet at the Met Gala in a Jean-Louis Marilyn Monroe crystal dress, which the actress famously wore while singing the song ‘Happy Birthday Mr. President’ John F Kennedy in 1962.
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