It is signed Biedermann and dates back to the mid-19th century. It could have been a gift to Maria-Christina of Habsburg-Teschen, second wife of King Alfonso XII of Spain, and mother of King Alfonso XIII. The necklace was later worn by Emmanuella de Dampierre, wife of Prince Jaime, Duke of Segovia (Alfonso XIII’s second son).
It is really a beautiful necklace. Here is the necklace, displayed at the Biennale, at Martin du Daffoy’s stand (according to an article about Martin du Daffoy recently published in Point de Vue - Images du Monde by Vincent Meylan, the big sapphire brooch with a diamond bow in front of the necklace could come from Empress Joséphine's collection - it is beautiful, for sure!).
Empress Joséphine's sapphire brooch (made of a 43 carat pear-shaped sapphire):
--Previous Message-- : Hello, : : I went to the Biennale yesterday. It was a : delight for the eyes, in all the sections of : the Biennale (jewellery, but also furniture, : paintings, sculptures...), and also a : considerable frustration (why on earth was I : not born a billionaire, to be able to : purchase so beautiful things? ) : : Several exhibitors allowed visitors to take : pictures, while others did not. : : Regarding jewellery, I tend to agree with : Lorenzo’s opinion. Cartier’s stand was very : interesting, but as for the style of the : jewels, my favour goes without hesitation to : Martin du Daffoy (a jewel retailer, who : sells jewels from the 18th, 19th and early : 20th centuries – so a very classical style). : Of course, this is just a matter of personal : taste. : : Several royal or aristocratic jewels are on : display at this Biennale, for each of which : I will dedicate a post in response to the : present post. : : : --Previous Message-- : This is not the best pieces I've seen !! : Many : royal jewels like empress Eugénie diamond : and rubis necklace-tiara, the gorgeous : diamond and sapphire necklace of the duchess : of Segovia, a double row of natural pearl : once belonging to queen Elena of Italy, the : Cartier snake bracelet of princess Mathilde, : an indian engraved 150 carats emerald or the : beautiful calcedony set of Wallis and so : many more that were much more beautiful than : the new Cartier tiara though the pearl is : gorgeous ! : : --Previous Message-- : I am hoping that some posters might be able : to : go to (or have been to) the Paris Biennale : Des Antiquaires. If so, I would be most : interested in reading a personal evaluation : of the pear shaped pearl, formerly belonging : to Queen Mary, which has now been : incorporated into a tiara/necklace by : Cartier. : : : : : : :