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Details
A Royal Presentation diamond, ruby and enamel brooch given to the actress Ellen Terry by Queen Alexandra in 1906
the brooch in the form of a diamond floral spray surrounding the Queen's personal cypher of twin letters'A', with diamond and enamel crown surmount, suspending an old-brilliant-cut diamond single stone drop, to a knife-edge and diamond twin leaf mount, formerly a pendant, later adapted as a brooch, dimensions 50mm. x 35mm., in fitted case stamped R & S Garrard & Co, Goldsmiths and Jewellers to the Crown, 25 Haymarket, London.
the brooch in the form of a diamond floral spray surrounding the Queen's personal cypher of twin letters'A', with diamond and enamel crown surmount, suspending an old-brilliant-cut diamond single stone drop, to a knife-edge and diamond twin leaf mount, formerly a pendant, later adapted as a brooch, dimensions 50mm. x 35mm., in fitted case stamped R & S Garrard & Co, Goldsmiths and Jewellers to the Crown, 25 Haymarket, London.
Provenance
The brooch/pendant was a gift from Queen Alexandra in 1906 to Ellen Terry in celebration of the 50th anniversary of her first appearance on stage. The event was celebrated and recorded in the Sphere supplement of April 28, 1906. The brooch was passed on to a fellow actress who had appeared with Ellen Terry and Henry Irving. Many years later the jewel was purchased by the actor David Farrar. Farrar, an accomplished actor who was to star in a number of Hollywood films, bought the brooch as a wedding anniversary present for his wife Irene Symes. 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
Ellen Terry was born into an acting family in Coventry on 27th February 1848. She first appeared on stage at the age of eight playing "Mamillius" in The Winter's Tale. In 1863 she made her début at the Haymarket. Despite her increasing success Ellen willingly sacrificed her early career to marry the painter George Frederick Watts who was thirty years her senior however the marriage failed within a year and in 1874 she agreed to return to the stage. Her success was re-kindled when in 1875 she played 'Portia' to great acclaim, and her performance as "Olivia" in The Vicar of Wakefield at the Lyceum Theatre was warmly received. She married the actor Charles Kelly in the same year but this marriage also proved unsuccessful. When Henry Irving purchased the Lyceum he invited Ellen to join his company and this partnership was to lead to ever increasing success, one particular triumph came in1895 with Irving's performance as King Arthur with Ellen Terry as Guinevere. Ellen continued to act with Irving for many years. In 1906 she celebrated 50 years on the stage, and late in her career even appeared on the silver screen. Her life came to a close on 21st July 1928.
George Bernard Shaw said of her - "Ellen Terry is the most beautiful name in the world, it rings like a chime through the last quarter of the 19th century".
George Bernard Shaw said of her - "Ellen Terry is the most beautiful name in the world, it rings like a chime through the last quarter of the 19th century".