An antique ‘Satlada’ necklace embedded with 1,888 pearls, once a possession of Arab world’s most famous singer, Umm Kulthoum got sold for $1,385,000 at a Christie’s auction in this rich Gulf emirate. This nine-strand necklace was purchased by an unnamed buyer from the Middle East and has fetched almost 10-times the pre-estimated sales price of $1, 20,000. The necklace is a part of the valuables collected by the Egyptian-born singer.

The descendants of Arab’s diva had put this necklace for sale. This necklace was flaunted by Umm Kulthoum at number of her stage performances. The pearl necklace with its multihued enamel and white stone minutiae was designed in 19th century India. It was a gift to the Umm by diva by Sheik Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the late president of the United Arab Emirates in 1975 when she was 70.

Via FoxNews

Update: Umm Kulthoum’s antique necklace fetched $1.3 mn, almost 10 times of its pre-estimated sales amount at Christie’s auction house.
An antique necklace embedded with around 1,888 pearls, a pricey possession of Egyptian Singer Umm Kulthoum is all set to go under hammer in Dubai on 29 April. The necklace was once gifted to Kultham by Sheik Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the late president of the United Arab Emirates and is anticipated to fetch $80,000-$120,000 during the Jewels and Watches auction in Dubai.

Christie’s spokeswoman Clare Roberts said Umm Kulthoum received this nine-row necklace from Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in 1970s. Born in 1904, Umm learnt singing from her father and debuted her first footage in the mid-1920s and by 1930s; she reached the top of Cairo’s composition panorama.

Via IHT