THE GREAT SANCY DIAMOND
Early History The Sancy Diamond has one of the most interesting, colorful, confused and involved histories of all the famous diamonds in Europe. The Sancy, a pale yellow diamond of 55.23 carats (11.05 g), was once reputed to have belonged to the Great Moguls of antiquity, but is more likely of Indian origin owing to its cut which is unusual by Western standards. It is said to be one of the first large diamonds to be cut with symmetrical facets. The stone is also unusual because it has no pavilion. The shield-shaped stone comprises two back-to-back crowns (the typical upper half of a stone) but lacks any semblance to a pavilion (the lower portion of a stone, below the girdle or midsection). Sancy Buys It In 1570, the stone was purchased in Constantinople by Nicholas Harlai, the Seigneur de Sancy, who was an avid collector of gems and jewelry. He was popular in the French Court and was later French Ambassador to Turkey. This passion for personal adornment was more in evidence during the 1500's and 1600's in Europe than any other time and any other place, except in the East. King Henri III Sancy was something of a gem connoisseur and used his knowledge to prosperous advantage. He brought it to France, where Henry III, who was very sensitive about being bald, borrowed it to decorate a small cap he always wore to conceal his baldness. Sancy was a prominate figure in the French Court at the time. Henry was the vicious, vain, weak son of Catherine de Medici. [That is one opinion.] King Henri IV During the next reign, when Sancy was made Superintendent of Finance, Henry IV borrowed the gem as security for a substantial loan to hire soldiers. A messenger was dispatched with the jewel but never reached his destination; thieves had followed him. Knowing that the man was loyal, Sancy made a search of him and his body was discovered, disinterred, and in the stomach of the servant the diamond was found! To England Sancy sold the diamond to James I, and in 1605 Inventory of Jewels in the Tower of London, the jewel in described in the unusual language of the period: "... and one fayre dyamonde, cut in fawcetts, bought of Sauncy." Back to France There are several different scenarios of how the diamond got back to France; probably even more than I present. Here are the most prominent stories:
The French Revolution In 1792, at the beginning of the French Revolution, the Sancy and other famous gems were stolen from the Royal Treasury in Paris. As well as the Sancy, other treasures stolen were the Regent diamond, and the French Blue diamond which is known today as the Hope diamond. The Great Sancy reappeared in 1828 and was sold by a French merchant to Prince Anatole Demidoff of Russia; the prince, in turn, is recorded as selling it in 1865 for $100,000. Two years later, it was displayed by the French jeweler, G. Bapst, at the Paris Exposition, bearing a price tag of 1,000,000 French Francs. In 1906, the Sancy was purchased by William Waldorf Astor (1st Visount Astor) as a wedding present when his son (later 2nd Viscount Astor) married Nancy Langhorne of Virginia. Lady Astor often wore the big shield-shaped gem in a tiara on state occasions. In 1962, it was one of the features of the Ten Centuries of French Jewelry exhibition at the Louvre Museum. After Lady Astor's death in 1964, the celebrated stone was inherited by her son, the 3rd Viscount Astor. The gem is set in a mounting that permits it to be affixed to the head ornament. There's more to the more recent history of the Sancy, but you can read about it yourself by following the links I've provided or others of your own finding. SOURCESSancy Diamond - Lang Antiques - the best commentary. Sancy Diamond Adventures - another story of the Sancy Diamond, also presenting another picture of Henry III, rather disgusting. The Story of the Sancy Diamond. Diamond Source Virginia Famous Diamonds Click your Back button to return
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