An anonymous buyer paid $2,281,600, the second highest price ever paid for any Fabergé clock, for this translucent mauve enameled silver clock applied with gold decorative elements, a gift from Her Majesty Queen Mary.

The two-day sale of jewelry, Fabergé, silver, furniture and works of art from the private collection of Her Royal Highness The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon conducted on June 13 and 14 at Christie’s realized $25,104,742. This historic auction generated unprecedented interest and exceeded all presale expectations with 100 percent of lots selling.

Christie’s auction house was packed with bidders who competed fiercely in the four video-linked auction rooms. Many had traveled great distances to attend the sale and were joined in the activity throughout the two days by more than 2,500 clients who left written bids or bid in person, by telephone and online.

“The extraordinary results of this important and unparalleled sale are a wonderful tribute to a beautiful and stylish princess. HRH The Princess Margaret’s wide-spread appeal was reflected in the exceptional prices achieved throughout the sale, as buyers from all over the world bid fiercely, sending prices soaring above their presale estimates,” said Francois Curiel, chairman of Christie’s Europe, who was also the auctioneer of the sale.

A translucent mauve enameled silver clock applied with gold decorative elements was the top selling lot, realizing $2,281,600, the second highest price ever paid for any Fabergé clock. A gift from Her Majesty Queen Mary, the clock was highly sought by Russian clients as well as other international bidders. It eventually sold to an anonymous purchaser. The group of 13 pieces by Fabergé fetched a total of $5,033,504.

A ruby and cultured pearl necklace, dated circa 1930, worn in a photograph of the princess when she was just two years old, climbed from an estimate of $2,200 to sell for $51,000. This trend continued throughout the sale as bidders competed to secure a piece of history. Princess Margaret’s collection of jewelry spanned every stage of her life. Among the most treasured pieces offered was an antique diamond rivière, circa 1900, accompanied by three handwritten notes naming the necklace after a previous owner as the “Lady Mount Stephen.” The necklace sold for $1,828,224. It had been given to Princess Margaret by her grandmother, Her Majesty Queen Mary (1867-1953).

The historic “Poltimore Tiara,” originally created by Royal Jeweler Garrard in 1870 for Lady Poltimore, the wife of the second Baron Poltimore, was worn by the princess on several occasions, including her wedding. Several bidders competed for it, and it finally sold for $1,704,576.

Another important and historic piece was the “Poltimore Tiara,” which was originally created by Royal Jeweler Garrard in 1870 for Lady Poltimore, the wife of the second Baron Poltimore. The princess wore it on several occasions, including her wedding and, in its alternative form, as a stunning diamond fringe necklace and scroll brooches prior to the wedding. Several bidders competed for this historic item, and it finally sold for $1,704,576.

Further highlights on the first day of the sale included the cherished five-row Art Deco pearl and diamond necklace that Princess Margaret wore when photographed by Cecil Beaton for some of her most memorable birthday portraits, selling for $509,312. More personal items of jewelry included a Victorian bee brooch accompanied by a note in Princess Margaret’s hand, “Almost the first bit of jewellery given to Mum…given to me 10 Feb 1945,” which sold for $61,824.

Princess Margaret’s artistic patronage was particularly notable in her personal collection of jewels dating from the 1960s and 1970s. Demonstrating her acute eye and sense of style for unique and technically virtuous creations were examples from the workshops of British craftsmen-jewelers of this period, such as Andrew Grima and John Donald. The diamond-set brooch cast by Andrew Grima in yellow gold in 1967 directly from the piece of lichen sent to him by the princess as a prototype sold for $22,080.

A five-row Art Deco pearl and diamond necklace (detail shown) that Princess Margaret wore when photographed by Cecil Beaton for some of her most memorable birthday portraits sold for $509,312.

The second day of the sale, which included silver, furniture and works of art from Princess Margaret’s private collection, was led by a portrait of Princess Margaret painted in 1957 by society and state portrait artist Pietro Annigoni (1910-1988) that sold for $1,249,570, setting a new world auction record for the artist. Annigoni rose to fame in 1954 following a commission from the Worshipful Company of Fishmongers to paint the young Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Further highlights included an engraved gold cigarette case by Cartier given to Princess Margaret by her father, H.M. King George VI, for Christmas in 1949, which sold for $187,476, and a pair of George III silver-gilt wine coasters that were regularly used on the sideboard in the dining room of the private apartment of the princess at Kensington Palace. They fetched $48,523.

Among the hundreds of items of royal ephemera snapped up by collectors was Princess Margaret’s three umbrellas from the 1960s/1970s, which sold for $4,411; a Nineteenth Century silver miniature saw, which brought $22,056; three bottles of Kensington Palace white wine bottled in 1977, which sold at $8,822, and Princess Margaret’s Disney breakfast set, selling for $13,234.

Prices reported include buyer’s premium and have been converted to US dollars from UK pounds. A special tribute catalog is available. For information, 20 7389 2820 or www.christies.com.