When I read that the worlds largest freshwater pearl was going to be sold, I had visions of a beautiful pearl, set in a stunning clasp ....
Especially as it was once owned by Catherine The Great of Russia. It came from China sometime after 1760, which is when it stopped forming. It possibly was smuggled out via the Dutch East India Company - despite a Qing dynasty ban on exporting large pearls. It was first auctioned in Amsterdam in 1778 after the death of its first owner, Hendrik Coenraad Sander of the Dutch East India Company, where it was snapped up by Catherine's buyer.
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| Catherine The Great Liked Pearls ... |
Especially as it was once owned by Catherine The Great of Russia. It came from China sometime after 1760, which is when it stopped forming. It possibly was smuggled out via the Dutch East India Company - despite a Qing dynasty ban on exporting large pearls. It was first auctioned in Amsterdam in 1778 after the death of its first owner, Hendrik Coenraad Sander of the Dutch East India Company, where it was snapped up by Catherine's buyer.
