An Edwardian diamond tiara, the gift of the 6th Earl Spencer to his daughter, composed of alternating linear and oval motifs in a graduated almost complete circlet, and set with more than eight hundred old round brilliant, old European and old cushion cut diamonds, total estimated weight approximately 48cts; the tiara is held on its cushioned frame by tiny and beautifully engineered wing-topped screws, so that it may be removed, and it then divides by means of hidden clasps, the central three sections becoming a choker necklace (length 35cm) and the two outer sections joining to form a bracelet (currently lacks one clasp, but another could readily be copied and requires no diamonds), length 19cm. Stylistically, this tiara is a rarity, with its clean lines and sleek forms, both reminiscent of Neo-Classical and French Empire styles and also foreshadowing the geometric shapes of Art Deco jewellery. The diamonds are most likely to have been cut in the 19th century and are of commensurate high quality - bright, white, clean and lively. The craftsmanship is superb, and its adaptability into various jewels has been achieved with great and subtle skill. Provenance: The tiara was given by Charles Robert Spencer, the 6th Earl, to his daughter Lady Delia Spencer on the occasion of her marriage in 1914; thence by inheritance. Lady Delia (Adelaide) Spencer was the eldest child of the 6th Earl. Born in 1889, her childhood was a typical late Victorian aristocratic idyll, abruptly ended by the death of her mother when Delia was only just 17. She had no formal education, but was a gifted musician ('cello and piano) and continued for the while to have lessons at the Royal College of Music. But her father, then Viscount Althorp, had many social and political duties, so Delia, to a great extent, took on her mother's rôle as hostess, manager of the households in London and Northamptonshire, and a mother figure to her five younger siblings. Four years later, in 1910, her father inherited the Earldom from his much older half-brother, and Delia's position was settled in the heart of not only aristocratic and royal circles, but also of the movers and shakers of the day, usually much older than her. This was a formidable education. By family tradition, this is the tiara Delia's father gave her on the occasion of her marriage, on February 18th 1914, to the Hon. Sidney Peel, younger son of the 1st Lord Peel, Speaker of the House of Commons and grandson of the Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel: he was 42, she was 23. Such a gift was customary: Delia's own youthful (spasmodic) diaries record several instances of tiaras as gifts, and twice to a bride when she herself was one of the bridesmaids. In the photograph of her wedding day, as the happy couple emerge from the church, the outline of the tiara can be made out under the (now thrown back) veil. The Times of 13th February, 1914 gave an extensive report of the forthcoming nuptials, listing all the important personel and describing the bride's dress (white satin trimmed with a flounce of old point d'argenton lace, and a family Brussels lace veil). It also mentioned the guard of honour provided by Sidney's squadron of the Bedfordshire Yeomanry, and the article was dominated by a list of the presents received - a diamond brooch from Queen Alexandra, pearl and diamond pendant from Princess Victoria, and - 'From Earl Spencer: a diamond tiara, a moonstone and diamond pendant, a nova mina and diamond brooch, a ruby guard ring…' Many years later, in the 1930s, Delia records her younger sister, Lady Margaret Douglas-Home, wearing her tiara to a dance at Norfolk House. Delia herself adored dancing and seems to have had a great gift for ensuring the enjoyment of others. She was widowed in 1938, but unlike Queen Victoria (upon whose knee she reputedly once sat as a small child), she did not withdraw into permanent mourning. She was a close friend of the royal family, lady-in-waiting to the then Queen Elizabeth (later the Queen Mother), and renowned for the fun and energy of her company with friends and family alike. Delia's father had died in 1922, and her brother Jack (Albert John) became the 7th Earl; his son Johnnie (Edward John) became the 8th Earl in 1975, and he was father of Lady Diana Spencer, who married Prince Charles in 1981 (the year Delia died) to become the Princess of Wales. Thus, Delia was Princess Diana's great aunt (and great great aunt to Prince William and Prince Harry). There were many plaudits both during Delia's lifetime and after her death, summed up by a niece who wrote: 'There are very few life enhancers in this world and Delia was definitely one. We all want to live our lives to the full, and when you were with Delia you felt just that extra spark of vitality and understanding which makes all the difference to life … Anybody who came in contact with her was the happier.' A hardback copy of her biography, 'A Memoir of the Lady Delia Peel, born Spencer, 1889-1981' by Priscilla Napier, is offered with this lot, together with a photocopied reproduction of the Times report of the wedding.
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A Victorian diamond fancy crescent or initial C brooch, the closed crescent of close-set graduated old round brilliant cut diamonds ending in smaller rose cuts, with an outer spaced line of graduated old round brilliant and cushion cut diamonds claw set on a knife-edge bar, both lines punctuated at the central widest point by a fleur-de-lys embellished trefoil of further similar diamonds, clasp with safety catch, width 2.9cm
A five stone diamond ring, the graduated old cushion and round cut diamonds with rose cut diamond highlights in the interstices claw set in an Edwardian setting with carved and scrolling gallery and shoulders, unmarked yellow precious metal, size P, total estimated weight of diamonds 1.20cts
A sapphire, diamond and pearl crescent on bar brooch, the closed crescent formed of an outer graduated line of oval to round cut mid-blue sapphires and an inner line of old round, oval and cushion cut diamonds, set at an angle on a knife edge bar, with a 3.7mm pearl at the centre and diamond and sapphire terminations; clasp with safety catch; length 5.0cm
An early 19th century diamond ring, with an old mine cut diamond in a double border of smaller similar and old cushion cut diamonds forming a plaque that curves to the finger, to pierced carved scrolling shoulders set with further old cut diamonds, and a tapered reeded shank, size Q; unmarked yellow precious metal, length of central plaque 1.4cm; in unusual period fitted ring box retailed by Hugo Schaper, Berlin; total estimated weight of diamonds 1.10cts
Unsigned - an 18ct white gold lady's diamond set wristwatch, the rectangular cushion shaped brushed silver dial with baton markers, inscribed 'Prestons' (retailer), to a broad octagonal bezel, set top and bottom with double lines of round brilliant cut diamonds, with further bright cut foliate decoration, serial number 082 30079, to a tapered articulated 18ct white gold smooth 'snakeskin' link bracelet; Swiss lynx mark and common control mark inside, outside and on clasp, inside and clasp also with length of bezel 2.8cm, gross weight 37gm (ex movement)
Eight Jacobite ribbons together with a ribbon ended pin cushion, the two pairs of pink ribbons woven with the wording 'No Star so Bright', 'No Hap so Hard', 'As My Delight' and 'As Love Debard', a pair of tartan ribbons inscribed 'God Preserve PC' and 'Down With The Rump', the longest ribbon with 'Our Prince is Brave Our Cause is Just in God Alone we put Our Trust', the tape attached to the pillow shaped pin cushion inscribed God Preserve PC and the sides of the cushion 'Doen With The Rump' (9)
A 19th century Continental foiled hardstone brooch and pendant, the principal stone a cushion triangular cabochon claw set in a closed back red foiled setting, with a pierced cast and carved scrolling foliate and bead surround, the pendant drop en suite with a pear shaped cabochon stone; brooch clasp with safety catch, pendant with balancing pin, joining link later; length 7.0cm. Due to the settings it has not been possible to test the stones sufficiently to identify the mineral, though they are definitely not paste (too high in both hardness and RI); the unmarked yellow precious metal tests for 18ct gold
A Georgian polychrome paste set flower head brooch,with a foiled yellow oval paste, rub set to the centre. Graduated, lobed petals set with foiled yellow and purple paste stones, with cushion-shaped black dot paste between. Blue and white paste set anthers with blue and green paste flower heads below. 43 x 34mm
A Georgian diamond and enamel set tonneau-shaped brooch, c.1820,with two royal blue enamel plaques, studded with rose cut diamonds. A central crossover section with graduated old European cut diamonds in cut down collets, to an outer border of cushion-shaped old Swiss cut diamonds in cut down collets, all set in silver with a later gold back, pin and roller catch. 45 x 20mm
A Stuart Crystal and paste set ring, HBwith twisted gold wire initials or monogram to a looped frame, beneath an octagonal step cut rock crystal cover. Fluted dome back setting with pairs of cushion-shaped paste set shoulders to a later gold shank. Hand engraved initials to the inside shank. 3.89g.Finger size not round
A late Victorian five stone diamond and sapphire carved head ring,with an old European cut diamond to the centre. A circular mixed cut sapphire at either side, one cushion cut and one old European cut diamond at each end, with pairs of diamond cut points, all claw set to a carved head with a plain shank. Marked 18ct. 3.96g.Finger size P½
A Continental diamond set Latin cross, c.1870,possibly French. A line of cushion cut diamonds all in silver cut down collets to a 'V' shaped diamond set bale. All set in silver and backed in gold. Maker's mark indistinct. 72 x 43mm, 20.11g. Diamonds assessed as approximately:16.00 to 16.50ct totalColour: J-NClarity: VS2 SI1-SI2
A Victorian garnet and diamond set pendant,with a cushion cut garnet, milligrain set to a yellow collet. An open scrolling cartouche surround milligrain set with Swiss cut diamonds and rose cut diamond set leaves. Diamond set bale and suspended on a Figaro link gold chain with a barrel clasp. Clasp marked 9ct. Pendant tested as silver backed in 15ct gold. 47 x 21mm, 5.92g
A single stone diamond ring,with diamond set shoulders, with a cushion cut diamond, estimated as approximately 1.18ct, and an old European cut diamond to either side, all claw set in white gold rex collets. Solid shoulders to a plain 'D' section shank. 3.49g. Diamond assessed as approximately:Colour: J/KClarity: SI1/SI2Finger size S
A graduated three stone diamond ring,with a central cushion cut diamond, estimated as approximately 0.56ct, and an old European cut diamond, estimated as approximately 0.22ct each, at each side. All claw set to white collets with yellow underbezels, knife edge yellow shoulders and a plain shank. Marked 18ct PT. 2.32g.Finger size P½
An Indian high carat gold, green paste, synthetic white sapphire and split cultured pearl necklace.A rivière-style necklace composed of a row of square green paste, all claw set to solid collets, with an outer row of claw set, split cultured pearls. A pendant drop composed of cushion-shaped green paste, claw set to the centre, surrounded by synthetic white sapphires to an outer crescent of split cultured pearls, one deficient, to a later lower carat gold back chain and bolt ring clasp. Tested as approximately 18-20ct gold. 58.55g
A two-row graduated cultured pearl necklace,with a turquoise and diamond cluster gold box clasp. Two rows of graduated cultured pearls, 4.3 to 8mm in size, strung knotted to a two-row box clasp, with a central cabochon oval turquoise claw set to the centre, surrounded by six cushion cut diamonds, claw set to pierced petal shapes, 47.24g
A ladies' 18ct white gold, diamond set, Chopard mechanical bracelet watch, c.1970,for Kutchinsky. A cushion case with 'Happy Diamonds' to an inset circular silvered dial, with sandblasted texture and sword hands. Polished bezel with a cabochon rub set to the quarter points, integral Milanese bracelet with satin textured finish and ladder snap clasp. 59.99g. Case back signed 'Kutchinsky No. 5089 5' and Swiss assay marks
A ladies' 18ct gold Cartier 'Panthère' quartz bracelet watch,with a square white dial, black Roman numerals and blued hands. Cushion-shaped case with three-row Panthère link bracelet, double deployant buckle with cabochon sapphire to the crown. Model no. W25022B9, serial no. CC34514. 64.50g. Photocopy of original receipt dated 06/08/1996. Cartier insurance valuation 06/08/1996, guarantee and instruction booklet
A WILLIAM IV MAHOGANY TOILET MIRROR, the oblong plate within a cushion frame with corner roundels hung from baluster turned uprights with ball finials, serpentine fronted box base with two drawers having turned brass handles, on protruding baluster turned corner front supports, 25 1/2" x 10" x 26"
SHAPLAND & PETTER, BARNSTAPLE, An Arts and Crafts Mahogany Sideboard, the raised back with protruding flat top over two shallow doors each with three cushion glazed panels and with elaborate copper lockplate with red enamel cabochon over arched apron, bowed base with two frieze drawers over two recessed panelled cupboard doors, copper drop handles, raised on square section legs and block feet, 59 1/2" x 21 1/2" x 60 1/2" (Illustrated)
A FRENCH BRASS WEATHER STATION CARRIAGE CLOCK, early 20th century, the clock with platform escapement and dial with Roman numerals and pierced foliate centre, flanked by matching barometer with Arabic numerals and with thermometer between, the case with cushion moulded top and base surmounted by a T shaped handle, turned quarter columns and matching pilasters, on bun feet, retailer Manoah Rhodes & Sons Ltd Bradford, 7" wide, 6 1/2" high
Tunbridge Ware _ five pieces _ comprising a stick ware circular pin cushion, 4cm dia., a stick ware and mosaic circular box, 4.8cm dia., a stick ware combination waxer and pin cushion, 4.5cm, a stick ware pedestal pin cushion, 6cm and a rosewood and stick ware cylinder tape measure, tape commencing at 6î (5) (From the collection of the late Jo Ball).
Mauchline ware _ five pieces comprising a wool ball in alternate segments (The Fountain, Blackpool) 10cm dia, a bucket form pin cushion (Edinburgh Castle/Holyrood Palace/Grown On The Lands of Abbotsford) 5.5cm, a knitting needlecase (Edinburgh Castle From Princess Street) 17cm, a tumbler case with fern etched glass (The Albert Memorial, Hastings) 6.5cm and a cylinder box (Ventner From The Sea) 8cm (5)
A rosewood Tunbridge ware fitted sewing box of sarcophagal form the sides with a broad band of geometric stickware, the lid with panels of stickware within a conforming angled border, the lid interior with yellow ruched silk panel over a yellow paper lined tray with two lift out boxes with stickware lids, a pin cushion, needle book, rosewood thimble, stickware dome top tape measure and a set of six stickware top rosewood reels, complete with key, 21.6 x 16.6 x 10.5cm (From the collection of the late Helen Eastgate).
An unusual 19th Century ivory combination tape measure/waxer/pin cushion in the form of a jousting tent, the circular base with pin cushion on three ball feet, with space for waxer, the original yellow silk printed tape wound by the flag surmounting the tent (From the collection of the late Mary Cruwys).
Tunbridge ware _ sewing _ two pieces comprising a white wood clamp of cylinder form painted with flowers below a pin cushion top, with printed oval label ïLove and FriendshipÍ, 6cm, and a whitewood sewing pannier, the pin hinge lid painted with a shell within colourful borders, swing handle, 14cm (2) (From the collection of the late Mary Cruwys).
A 19th Century Chinese export carved mother of pearl pincushion and a European needle book, the pin cushion carved to both sides with figures, trees and pagodas, blue silk ribbon tie, 7cm, the needlebook engraved to one side with a bird on a flowering branch, to the other a scrolling leaf design, complete with flannels, 6 x 3.5cm (2)
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83805 item(s)/page