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Bonhams Jewellery Sale to Feature ‘Diamond Frog’
The autumn Fine Jewellery sale takes place at Bonhams newly built headquarters on London's New Bond Street later this month.
Among the highlights are a diamond and green peridot dating back to 1937 which was given as a gift from The Duke of Windsor to his lover Wallis Simpson, and will be offered together with a diamond brooch designed as the Prince of Wales' feathers. The two items are estimated to sell for £5,000-£10,000.
The most valuable jewel in the sale is a diamond rivière necklace, estimated at £250,000-£400,000 and composed of 40 brilliant-cut sparkling diamonds that increase in size towards the largest central stone and weigh 76 carats in total.
Seventy-five pearls, fastened with a diamond clasp, make up the second most valuable lot in the sale - a single-strand natural saltwater pearl necklace dating back to 1910 and offered with an estimate of £150,000-£200,000.
A sapphire and diamond 'pelouse' - or 'lawn' - suite by Van Cleef and Arpels is estimated to sell for £80,000-£100,000, while a choker and bracelet are fashioned as a 'lawn' of circular-cut sapphires, interspersed with diagonal rows of diamonds. A ring and earclips complete the set in a matching sapphire and diamond bombé design.
Another piece of historical interest is a pearl brooch that belonged to the late society hostess and the first woman to sit as a Member of Parliament, Nancy Astor. The natural saltwater pearl drops are decorated with rose-cut diamonds and mounted in gold. The brooch is offered with an estimate of £12,000-£15,000.
The Bonhams sale will take place on 17th September.