Lot 348
348
A SOUTH AFRICAN GEM-SET KIMBERLITE BOX
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VA… Read more
A SOUTH AFRICAN GEM-SET KIMBERLITE BOX

STAMPED 22CT, PRESENTATION DATE 1947

Details
A SOUTH AFRICAN GEM-SET KIMBERLITE BOX
STAMPED 22CT, PRESENTATION DATE 1947
Circular, with rim mounts, the cover applied with a Royal Princess' coronet set with twelve bright-cut diamonds, engraved with an inscription, marked under base
3 5/8 in. (9.2 cm.) diameter
The inscription reads 'Presented to Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret by De Beers Consolidated Mines Limited 18th April 1947.'
Provenance
Presented, originally containing a 4ct diamond, to H.R.H. The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon by De Beers Consolidated Mines 18 April 1947.
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

The presentation was made during the Royal Family's visit to South Africa in April 1947. The Royal party visited Kimberley on the 18th April, arriving by train to visit the famous "Big Hole" diamond mine. They were escorted by the chairman of De Beers, Sir Ernest Oppenheimer. Afterwards the Royal party lunched at the Kimberley Club. It was during a visit to the De Beer's offices in the afternoon that Princess Margaret was presented with this lot, containing a 4 carat diamond. Princess Elizabeth was also presented with a similar box containing a 6 carat stone. The Royal party departed by train to cross the Great Karoo, visiting Beaufort West on the final leg of their journey to Cape Town.

IMAGE CAPTION:
T.R.H. Princess's Elizabeth and Margaret in South Africa in 1947
Ian Lloyd, Camera Press Digital

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