"A late Victorian opal and diamond tiara/necklace, consisting of seven knife-edge gold bars graduating from the centre, each set with two round cabochon-cut opals and an old-cut diamond in-between, the bars connected with six diamond-set arches each arch with a diamond-trefoil and a round cabochon-cut opal within, terminating on each side with a small diamond and opal trefoil motif, the diamonds estimated to weigh 2.9 carats in total, all mounted in gold and silver, attached to silver-gilt tiara frame and accompanied by gold chain back section to convert to a necklace, circa 1890, measuring 4 x 14.5cm, gross weight 36.4 grams."
"Victorian Opal and Diamond Crown/Tiara/Haircomb/Necklace, circa 1880s
A very unusual and stunning Victorian crown, set with fiery opal cabochons and old-mine cut diamonds, from the 1880s. The setting alternates with rows of fine opal cabochons that show a strong play of colour and rows of bright old-mine cut diamonds (ca. 12 carats), in a shell like design. It can be worn with a detachable hair comb, or as a necklace."
the yellow metal band set to centre with three pear shaped cultured pearls, mounted in rose cut diamond caps, on curled ribbons down to the band, with a further two similarly set pear shaped cultured pearls to either side, pearls approx. 7.2 - 7.6mm diameter, total weight of diamonds estimated approx. 1.34cts, all set in white metal to a plain yellow metal headband, unmarked (tests as approx. 9ct gold and silver), ornament 8cm wide, band overall 12cm wide, (22g)"
"Property from the Collection of Margaret Thompson Biddle
CHAUMET ART DECO DIAMOND TIARA
Old-cut diamonds, platinum (French marks), circa 1930, maker's mark.
Margaret Thompson Biddle was born in Helena, Montana in 1896. She was the daughter of notable copper miner and financier, William Boyce Thompson.
Margaret’s father was born and raised around mining in Montana, so it was no surprise that he went on to make a name for himself in the copper mining industry. He attended the prestigious Philips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire, and Columbia University. After retiring from the New York Stock Exchange around 1915, Thompson’s interests returned back to mining where he founded the Newmont Mining Corporation.
Margaret Thompson married Anthony Drexel Biddle Jr. in 1931. That year he was also appointed the Minister to Norway by President Roosevelt, and then Ambassador to Poland 1937. This role led Biddle and his family all over the world. After fleeing Poland in 1939, they landed in England for one of Anthony’s commissions. In this position, he worked with the governments-in-exile of Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland and Yugoslavia. Biddle held numerous ambassador positions in the years that followed before re-enlisting in the army in 1944.
Margaret relocated to France after she and Anthony separated at the end of World War II. She had a home on the French Riviera, and a spectacular hotel particulier on the notable boulevard St. Germain in Paris. Not only was she a writer and author of The Women of England, Margaret was also known to be quite the hostess and socialite. One could find the Eisenhowers, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, and many other notable French creatives at her soirees.
In addition to having a wonderful jewelry collection, Margaret was an avid collector of fine porcelain, silver, home furnishings and art by the most distinguished artists and makers. She gifted a 1,575 piece dinnerware service to former First Lady Eisenhower. Select pieces of the ‘Vermeil’ collection are still on display at The White House present day."
AN ANTIQUE PINK TOPAZ, ENAMEL, DIAMOND AND GOLD PARURE
Comprising: a comb tiara set with a fringe of oval pink topazes to the openwork gold, blue enamel and diamond decoration; a necklace/choker with removeable links supporting a detachable plaque brooch and topaz pendant; a pair of earrings with detachable pendants (may be added to necklace/brooch combination); and a brooch with pendant hoop, all of neo-classical and foliate design, mounted in silver and gold, circa 1840, tiara 15.0 cm across, necklace 38.0 or 34.0 inner circumference, detachable brooch 5.9 cm long, ear pendants 5.0 cm long and brooch 4.9 cm across, with two original tooled leather cases, damage to enamel and cases (4)
"Introducing the Peace of Mined collection by Boodles, where every piece tells a story of unrivalled provenance. For over four decades, we’ve worked to build a unique connection with the Cullinan Mine. To bring you – friend of Boodles – fine diamonds that can be fully traced.
A glittering display of the best of British design and craftsmanship, featuring rare and traceable diamonds sourced from the Cullinan Mine," this Boodles Peace of Mind Cullinan Tiara is created with white and yellow diamonds in a beautiful 18 carat white gold setting. The collection includes other matching pieces such as the earrings (shown), a necklace, bangle and multiple rings.
Gloria: Property from the late Dowager Countess Bathurst
"A 19TH CENTURY TOPAZ SUITE
Comprising an oval-cut topaz collet necklace with old-cut diamond spacer connections; a topaz collet headband; two pairs of topaz earrings, each adapted; a pear shaped topaz and old-cut diamond pendant brooch with diamond detail, adapted, together with an associated topaz double headed serpent brooch and a pair of later set topaz and diamond earrings, mounted in gold, necklace 41.5 cm, head band collet section 27 cm.
By family tradition, left by HRH The Princess Amelia (1783-1810), daughter of George III, to her Lady in Waiting The Hon. Mrs George Villiers (1775-1856) and by descent to her great granddaughter Lilias Borthwick, later Countess Bathurst (1871-1965) and by descent in the Bathurst family."
