A Royal cuppa... Qing dynasty tea set leads Sotheby's sale of a Queen's collectibles

Sotheby's Amsterdam has proudly announced that they have been given the opportunity to offer some 1,600 lots from the Estate of Queen Juliana of the Netherlands.

The sale is taking place at the instructions of the Executors on behalf of the Queen's daughters, Her Majesty the Queen and Their Royal Highnesses Princess Irene, Princess Margriet and Princess Christina, who have stipulated that the proceeds of the sale contribute to four charities.

The realised amount will be divided into two portions; the first part will be donated to The Red Cross, chosen by the four heirs because of the long term involvement of Queen Juliana in its work.

The remaining portion will be divided into four equal parts; The Princess Beatrix Fund which is the choice of Queen Beatrix, Princess Irene chose The Natuurcollege, Princess Margriet chose the Red Cross and the Princess Christina Concours was chosen by Princess Christina.

The sale includes furniture, porcelain, glass, silver, paintings and drawings which encompass the long and varied history of the Dutch Royal family. Many come from the Palace Soestdijk where Queen Juliana lived throughout her married life, while other items come from the attics of other Royal Palaces.

Time for a brew... a Chinese silver gilt Qing tea service (€50,000)

Only a small number of the pieces were acquired by Queen Juliana and her spouse Prince Bernhard, and by far the greater share was accumulated over the last 150 years from Kings Willem II and III, Queen Emma and Queen Wilhelmina.

One of the highlights is an extensive Chinese silver-gilt tea service, Qing dynasty, 18th/ 19th century, listed at €30,000-50,000 (up to $69,250). Given the tremendously strong market for Qing dynasty collectibles at the moment, this should make an excellent investment.

Many of the works still bear inventory marks and labels to show their origins in the seven Royal Palaces and Royal Residences throughout the Netherlands. Sotheby's sale takes place from March 14^th-17^th.