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Details
A coloured diamond and diamond cluster ring
The central light brown old-cut diamond weighing 11.45 carats within fourteen stone diamond surround to the scrolled shoulders and plain hoop, mounted in silver and gold, circa 1880
The central light brown old-cut diamond weighing 11.45 carats within fourteen stone diamond surround to the scrolled shoulders and plain hoop, mounted in silver and gold, circa 1880
Provenance
Cornelia, Countess of Craven (1877 - 1961)
Mary Curzon, wife of 5th Earl Howe (1887 - 1962)
Lady Georgiana Starkey (1910 - 1976) and thence by descent
Mary Curzon, wife of 5th Earl Howe (1887 - 1962)
Lady Georgiana Starkey (1910 - 1976) and thence by descent
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.
Further details
'..... Cornelia Craven's father, Bradley Martin, a wealthy tycoon from New York City, happened by good fortune to be in Paris in 1872 when the government of the Third Republic offered for sale the contents of the Palace of the Tuileries and the Crown Jewels of the Royal Bourbon and Imperial Bonaparte dynasties. Bradley Martin scooped the best of both, and gave them to his daughter, Lady Craven. ...... I remember in particular that Lady Craven would wear on special occasions Marie Antoinette's bracelets - they were diamonds and rubies, and have since found their way back to the Louvre. For sheer magnificence it was hard to beat three diamonds of different cutting, the one holding the next: a round rose-cut held a marquise diamond, which in turn held a priceless pear-shaped stone. We were told that Louis XIV had worn this piece in his hat. There was an immense sapphire, the size of a half-crown, set with diamonds. I feel that that is enough!....' E. Voules Free of all Malice, published privately, 1987