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Lot Essay
This stunning sapphire and diamond lotus flower brooch dating from the mid-19th century comes from the collection of Cornelia Countess of Craven.
Cornelia Martin was born in New York on 22 September 1876, the daughter of Bradley Martin and Cornelia Sherman, both prominent members of the so called Four Hundred, the crème de la crème of New York society. When on 18 April 1893 Cornelia Martin married William George Robert, 4th Earl of Craven in New York, it was a grand and talked-about social occasion.
Not only did she receive from her parents an allowance of US$ 75,000 per year and a house in London at Chesterfield Gardens, but she was also given a magnificent group of jewels which included the historic ruby and diamond tiara from the French crown jewels created by Ménière using the designs of his nephew, Evrard Bapst, in 1816 for the Duchess d'Angoulême.
Lady Craven's mother was famous for her jewellery collection, which included not only the ruby and diamond tiara with matching bracelets as well as the clasp from Empress Eugénie great girdle and the brooch from the currant leaves parure.
Of the several important pieces in her collection the lotus flower brooch offered here as lot 352 has a particularly fascinating history. It was lent by the Martins together with other pieces to Minnie Paget, the American wife of the Right Honourable Sir Arthur Paget, for the spectacular Devonshire Ball held in London on 2 July 1897 by the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, where her appearance clearly caused storm.
She herself had a magnificent collection of jewellery of which an important diamond necklace which she probably also wore at the Devonshire Ball was sold at Christie's London, Important Jewels, 15 June 2005, lot 212 for GBP 265,600.
The invitation to the legendary ball, which stipulated that dress should be 'allegorical or historical costume before 1815', was the most coveted in London, and the guest list was an aristocratic role call. Minnie's choice of character as Cleopatra offered the perfect opportunity for an extraordinary outfit dripping in jewels with the lotus flower brooch pinned on her bodice.
On 30 November 1961, the same year Lady Craven died, her casket of magnificent jewels was sold by order of her executors. Lady Craven's collection contained not only marvellous jewels but also pieces of historical importance and unique beauty such as the brooch in this sale.
Cornelia Martin was born in New York on 22 September 1876, the daughter of Bradley Martin and Cornelia Sherman, both prominent members of the so called Four Hundred, the crème de la crème of New York society. When on 18 April 1893 Cornelia Martin married William George Robert, 4th Earl of Craven in New York, it was a grand and talked-about social occasion.
Not only did she receive from her parents an allowance of US$ 75,000 per year and a house in London at Chesterfield Gardens, but she was also given a magnificent group of jewels which included the historic ruby and diamond tiara from the French crown jewels created by Ménière using the designs of his nephew, Evrard Bapst, in 1816 for the Duchess d'Angoulême.
Lady Craven's mother was famous for her jewellery collection, which included not only the ruby and diamond tiara with matching bracelets as well as the clasp from Empress Eugénie great girdle and the brooch from the currant leaves parure.
Of the several important pieces in her collection the lotus flower brooch offered here as lot 352 has a particularly fascinating history. It was lent by the Martins together with other pieces to Minnie Paget, the American wife of the Right Honourable Sir Arthur Paget, for the spectacular Devonshire Ball held in London on 2 July 1897 by the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, where her appearance clearly caused storm.
She herself had a magnificent collection of jewellery of which an important diamond necklace which she probably also wore at the Devonshire Ball was sold at Christie's London, Important Jewels, 15 June 2005, lot 212 for GBP 265,600.
The invitation to the legendary ball, which stipulated that dress should be 'allegorical or historical costume before 1815', was the most coveted in London, and the guest list was an aristocratic role call. Minnie's choice of character as Cleopatra offered the perfect opportunity for an extraordinary outfit dripping in jewels with the lotus flower brooch pinned on her bodice.
On 30 November 1961, the same year Lady Craven died, her casket of magnificent jewels was sold by order of her executors. Lady Craven's collection contained not only marvellous jewels but also pieces of historical importance and unique beauty such as the brooch in this sale.