Princess Diana’s Attallah Cross pendant is heading to auction

By Joshua Hendren

A necklace worn by the late Diana, Princess of Wales, is the focus of a new show-stopping auction this month with Sotheby’s.

The Attallah Cross, which the princess famously wore with an Elizabethan-style Catherine Walker gown for a London charity gala on 2 October 1987, will lead Sotheby’s’ annual Royal & Noble sale and is expected to fetch up to £120,000.

The crucifix pendant – crafted in the fleurée style – was made by Garrard, the first official crown jeweller, in the 20^th century and, while little is known about its design, the necklace is understood to be embossed with gold and silver and set with square-cut amethysts and circular-cut diamonds.

In its one documented appearance, Diana wore the pendant to a charity ball in aid of Birthrights, a charity working to protect human rights during pregnancy and childbirth, of which she became patron in 1984. She worn the piece on a pearl rope with a dramatic Catherine Walker gown.

The annual Sotheby’s annual Royal and Noble sale will take place online from January 6 until January 18. Other important creations in the auction, including furniture, ceramics and objets d’art, will be showcased at the house’s London space from January 12th until January 18th.

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