Astor tiara sells for £889,400 at Bonhams London Jewels public sale

A turquoise and diamond tiara as soon as owned by Nancy, Viscountess Astor has bought for £889,400 at Bonhams’ London Jewels sale, greater than thrice its pre-sale estimate.

The Cartier-designed piece, relationship from round 1930, had remained within the Astor household because it was first bought by Lord Astor from Cartier London. Described as “exceptionally uncommon” by the public sale home, the tiara was supplied in the marketplace for the primary time in practically a century.

Of Japanese inspiration, the design options outdated good, single and rose-cut diamonds set with carved turquoise plumes, leaves and scrolls. Bonhams mentioned the motifs have been drawn from Egyptian, Indian and Persian sources.

Viscountess Astor was born Nancy Witcher Langhorne in Danville, Virginia, and have become the primary lady to take her seat within the Home of Commons. She represented the Plymouth Sutton constituency from 1919 to 1945.

After marrying Waldorf Astor, 2nd Viscount Astor, in 1906, she grew to become identified for her political advocacy and for internet hosting Britain’s social elite at Cliveden, the couple’s Buckinghamshire property.

The tiara was amongst 104 heaps supplied at Bonhams New Bond Avenue. The sale additionally featured items from Boucheron, Bulgari, Buccellati, Chaumet, Grima, Mauboussin, Tiffany and Co., and Van Cleef and Arpels.

Amongst different highlights, a set of three mid-Nineteenth Century diamond-set rose brooches, every fashioned as a sculptural budding rose with diamond-set leaves, bought for £305,200 – greater than six occasions the pre-sale estimate of £50,000–80,000.

An emerald and diamond ring from round 1930, that includes a 4.13-carat step-cut Colombian emerald, bought for £229,000, exceeding its estimate greater than sevenfold.

A colored diamond ring, centred on a 2.01-carat Fancy Intense Orangey Pink diamond with further marquise-cut and pavé-set stones, achieved £127,400 inside its pre-sale estimate of £100,000–150,000.

A Boodles diamond single stone ring, set with a 9.12-carat brilliant-cut diamond, fetched £203,600, greater than double its £80,000–120,000 estimate.

A pure pearl and diamond necklace with two strands of saltwater pearls and an openwork diamond clasp was bought for £178,200, towards an estimate of £60,000–80,000.

A pair of diamond chandelier earrings, set with pear-cut diamonds totalling roughly 28.00 carats, realised £76,600, exceeding the £40,000–60,000 information worth.

Jean Ghika, Bonhams international head of jewelry, mentioned: “London Jewels featured a formidable choice of jewelry, however undoubtedly, the star of the sale was the Astor turquoise and diamond tiara by Cartier, previously within the assortment of Nancy, Viscountess Astor.

“The tiara hadn’t been seen in the marketplace since Lord Astor bought it from Cartier in 1930, and we have been honoured to have been entrusted to promote the jewel at public sale for the primary time in practically a century.”