Dubai: A 19th Century antique pearl necklace given to the late Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum by His Highness Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nayhan has sold for $1.2 million at auction.
The necklace, as well as 178 other rare jewellery pieces and watches, were up for sale at the Christie's auction at Emirates Towers in Dubai on Tuesday.
Umm Kulthum's necklace was the centrepiece of the event and was sold at a considerably higher price than the $80,000-120,000 tag given by the auctioneers.
A tense volley between two buyers took place at the million dollar mark, before one of them bowed out of the bidding. The buyer chose to remain anonymous.
The antique nine-row pearl necklace with multi-coloured enamel and white stone details, in the style of a traditional Indian Satlada necklace, was created in 1880 and consists of approximately 1,888 pearls.
Other pieces
Among other pieces on sale was a natural pearl and diamond necklace which sold for over $1.5 million.
Christie's said it expected to raise more than $20 million dollars from the sale.
On Wednesday, they will also hold a modern and contemporary art sale.
