13th Nov, 2024 11:00
Jewellery, Watches & Silver
277
A late 19th/early 20th century diamond tiara, designed as a series of openwork foliate scrolls enclosing a central flowerhead cluster, set throughout with graduated old brilliant, old, single and lasque-cut diamonds in pinched claw and collet settings, gold and silver mounted, with partly detachable metal and fabric tiara frame, principal diamond weight approximately 0.25ct, total weight of old brilliant, old and single-cut diamonds approximately 2.70ct, width of scrolled section 20cm, overall height including frame 6.2cm
Provenance: Formerly the property of Diana Patricia Selina Ford (née Cole-Hamilton), thence by descent. An image of Diana wearing this tiara on her wedding day in November 1957 can be found in the Photographs Collection of the National Portrait Gallery.
Sold for £6,200
Estimated at £4,000 - £6,000
A late 19th/early 20th century diamond tiara, designed as a series of openwork foliate scrolls enclosing a central flowerhead cluster, set throughout with graduated old brilliant, old, single and lasque-cut diamonds in pinched claw and collet settings, gold and silver mounted, with partly detachable metal and fabric tiara frame, principal diamond weight approximately 0.25ct, total weight of old brilliant, old and single-cut diamonds approximately 2.70ct, width of scrolled section 20cm, overall height including frame 6.2cm
Provenance: Formerly the property of Diana Patricia Selina Ford (née Cole-Hamilton), thence by descent. An image of Diana wearing this tiara on her wedding day in November 1957 can be found in the Photographs Collection of the National Portrait Gallery.
Please note that one of the screw-back fittings attaching the diamond set section to the frame does not unlock and appears to have seized. The remainder of the screw-back fittings appear to be currently functioning, so that the diamond set section can detach from the frame at these points.
The frame is a little mis-shapen in places and has kinks and general surface wear. The metal of the frame and screw-back fittings is untested. The fabric sections and elasticated strap have wear and areas of fraying; these appear to be original but we are unable to confirm as such. The diamond set scrolled section doesn't quite sit symmetrically, which may be due to the mis-shapen frame.
The gold and silver scrolled mounts have surface wear, scuffs and nicks/chips, with patchy tarnishing and discolouration throughout. Solder joins/repairs are present at several junctions within the scrolled section and there are also occasional fine splits/creases. The settings have areas of thinning and wear. Diamonds have typically variable colour and clarity, some stones with chips, surface-reaching fractures, mineral inclusions and facet edge abrasion, although the larger diamonds are generally lively and fairly bright in appearance. Estimated VS2 to P3 clarity and H to M colour, assessed mounted. It is possible that occasional stones may be later replaced. The gold and silver standards of the scrolled mounts are untested.
Combined gross weight, including frame, approx. 48gm.
Disclaimer: whilst we seek to describe lots accurately, it may be impractical for us to carry out exhaustive due diligence on each lot. Prospective buyers are given ample opportunities to view and inspect before any sale and they (and any independent experts on their behalf) must satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of any description applied to a lot. Prospective buyers also bid on the understanding that, inevitably, representations or statements by us as to authorship, origin, date, age, provenance, condition or estimated selling price involve matters of opinion.
Auction: Jewellery, Watches & Silver, 13th Nov, 2024
Viewing
Please note that there is no public attendance on both sale days and the auction will be online only.
Viewing by appointment (photo ID required):
Friday 8 November 10am - 4pm
Saturday 9 November 10am - 1pm
Monday 11 November 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 12 November 10am - 4pm
For sale enquiries and viewing appointments please contact:
oxford@mallams.co.uk / 01865 241358
