LONDON – A 22.47-carat aquamarine Cartier pendant from the estate of the late Denisa Lady Newborough will highlight the 288-lot section of fine jewels, which comprises part of Roseberys’ fine art auction on Tuesday, June 30.
LiveAuctioneers.com will provide absentee and Internet live bidding.
Items from her private collection are being offered in this sale, and are highlighted by the impressive aquamarine and diamond pendant (above). The stunning light blue stone is complemented by eight single stone diamonds, and comes complete with original red leather Cartier case.
A daring socialite of the 1920s, ’30s, ’40s and seemingly of every decade until her death in 1992, Denisa Lady Newborough was described in her obituary in The Daily Telegraph as: “many things: wire-walker, nightclub girl, nude dancer, air pilot.”
A trailblazer for the modern day “It Girl,” Lady Newborough attained her title through a brief marriage to Thomas John Wynn, 5th Baron Newborough, who died in 1957. Lord Newborough is said to have initiated divorce proceedings less than 24 hours after their marriage, which took place the morning after a night spent playing cards in Monte Carlo. She later went on to become an antiques dealer and ran a store in the heart of London’s Mayfair.
A spectacular handmade diamond, yellow diamond and natural pearl butterfly brooch en tremblant from the Victorian period, is one of a number of pieces in the sale from a private London collection. Like much of the jewelry from the early to mid-Victorian period, the gold setting for the brooch has no maker’s mark, but the piece comes with a gemological report stating that the old cut diamonds on the butterfly’s openwork wings are approximately 5.30 carats, color G-H and VS clarity, and the fancy light yellow diamonds that form the butterfly’s body are approximately 3.03 carats and VS clarity.
From the same collection, an 18K gold, platinum and diamond set bracelet by the American jeweler David Webb is a beautiful example of modern craftsmanship. A favorite with celebrities since the 1960s, Webb is known for his bold use of yellow gold and diamonds in the jewelry he creates, and the reeded navette-shaped links, set at intervals with diamond clusters in this bracelet, are a stunning example of his work.
Also in the auction is a virtually flawless emerald cut diamond halo ring. Set in an oblong platinum mount, with a border of round cut diamonds, the size JK ring comes in a Kuchinsky box. The beautifully cut diamond comes with a gemology report stating the emerald cut diamond is approximately 2.50 carats, color D-E and VS clarity, and the round brilliant cut diamonds are approximately 1.40 carats, color F-G and VS clarity.
