GOLD AMETHYST FRINGE NECKLACE, 20TH CENTURY
The series of oval-cut amethysts, graduating slightly in size towards the centre from a hexagonal-cut amethyst clasp, each collet-set within a ropetwist surround, suspending a fringe of seven similarly-set amethyst drops, between filigree floral spacers, the whole fringe embellished with spherical bead drops, length 34.5cm, fitted case by Fortnum & Mason
Footnotes:
Formerly owned and worn by the Hollywood actress, Deborah Kerr, CBE (1921-2007).

Previously sold Bonhams, London, 4th December 2008, ex lot 23.

The Hollywood screen icon Deborah Kerr (1921-2007) starred in over 50 films over four decades. Some of her best loved films include From Here to Eternity (1953) with Burt Lancaster, The King and I (1956) with Yul Brynner and An Affair to Remember (1957) with Cary Grant. She was also leading lady to Robert Mitchum, Clark Gable, James Mason, Stewart Granger, David Niven and Spencer Tracy.

She was nominated six times for an Academy Award and four times for a BAFTA but never won. In 1994 she received an Honorary Academy Award in recognition of her career as an 'artist of impeccable grace and beauty, a dedicated actress whose motion picture career has always stood for perfection, discipline and elegance.' She received her Oscar to a standing ovation.

Of Scottish descent and educated in Bristol, she originally trained as a ballet dancer which she gave up in favour of drama. Early in her career she acted in British theatre and read children's stories for the BBC before performing in several distinguished wartime films. After the Second World War, she was signed by MGM and went to Hollywood. Louis B Mayer, of MGM, is reputed to have pronounced 'Kerr rhymes with Star!', not least to avoid incorrect pronunciation of her surname.

Her refined British accent and manners appealed to Hollywood audiences and she was often typecast as the quintessential 'proper' English lady. All this was to change in her performance in From Here to Eternity where her character famously embraced Burt Lancaster on a Hawaiian beach as the tide crashed over them. The film earned her a second Oscar nomination and subsequently the American Film Institute named it one of the 'AFIs top 100 Most Romantic Films'.

Kerr retired from the screen in 1969. She received a BAFTA special award in 1991 and she was also awarded a CBE (Commander of the British Empire) in the 1997/8 New Years Honours List.

Kerr married twice, firstly to Anthony Charles Bartley, a squadron leader in the Royal Air Force, in 1946 and secondly to the novelist-screenwriter Peter Viertel in 1960, to whom she remained married until her death. In frail health caused by Parkinson's disease, she died on 16 October 2007.

The necklace offered here was owned and worn by Deborah Kerr when she was at the height of her fame during the 1940s and 1950s.

Black and white photograph: Deborah Kerr, March 1947 wearing lot 25 © Bob Landry/The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Amethysts well matched, and medium saturation of colour. Mounting in good condition. The gold links test between 16-18ct gold, the clasp tests as 15ct.