Jewels from the estate of Umm Kulthum to be sold at Christie's in Dubai

The sale will also include rare coloured gemstones and exquisite natural pearls alongside watches by Patek Philippe, Breguet, Cartier and Rolex. The sale will be followed by Christie's auction of International Modern and Contemporary Art to be held on 29th April, 2009.

Both sales are sponsored by Credit Suisse, one of the leading global providers of financial products
and services in Private Banking, Investment Banking, and Asset Management.

Umm Kulthum (1904-1975)

Umm Kulthum, the greatest Arab singer of the 20th century, was known as 'The Shining Star of the Middle East' (Kawab El Sharq). The sale will include four items from her jewellery collection, the highlight of which is an emerald, diamond and pearl set comprising a brooch, a bracelet and a pair of ear pendants.

Also included is an impressive Indian multi-strand pearl and turquoise necklace, the front designed as a stylised peacock a cultured pearl and paste 'festoon' brooch which was a gift from the late Shah of Iran, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi (1919-1980) to Umm Kulthum on the occasion of his wedding to Princess Fawzia, the sister of King Farouk, the late King of Egypt and a lady's cultured pearl and diamond wristwatch.

"We are delighted to have been entrusted with this rare group of jewels from Umm Kulthum and, as always in our Dubai sales, we have sought to offer some exquisite pieces of jewellery and fine watches,"

said David Warren, Director of Jewellery, Middle East.

"By sponsoring the Christie's auction, Credit Suisse provides investors and the wider Middle East audience a rare glimpse of contemporary and ageless pieces of art, enfolding both aesthetic and economic value", said Raj Sehgal, Branch Manager of Credit Suisse Dubai.

Other Jewellery Highlights

Other highlights in the sale include a pair of diamond threestone ear pendants. The quality and size of the diamonds is rare - the larger stones weighing 5.29 and 5.07 carats. Other important diamonds include a pair of diamond ear studs, each set with a circular-cut diamond weighing 12.56 and 11.65 carats and a diamond kiteshaped pendant weighing 5.01 carats, D colour, internally flawless.

Coloured gemstones in the sale include an emerald and diamond parure by Tabbah comprising a bracelet, a pair of earings and ring; a rectangular emerald ring weighing 16.71 carats, and a cushion-shaped Burmese ruby and diamond ring of 5.07 carats.

Appropriately for the Gulf, Christie's Dubai sales have always featured a fine group of natural pearls. A sumptuous pearl, multi-gem and enamel Indian necklace, the pearls set with a line of 17 graduated drop-shaped pearls are included.

Watches

A private collection of around 20 watches from the Middle East will also be offered among the 50 watches in the sale by international watch makers including Patek Philippe, Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Omega and Lange & Sohne.

A limited edition wristwatch, decorated with an enamel and cloisonné view of St Basil's in Red Square and presented in an enamel 'egg'. Designed by Ulysse Nardin in 2005, the confection was made
in a limited edition of 30. An elegant Lange & Sohne platinum cabaret tourbillon wristwatch made in 2008.