Historic Cartier Tiara Sells for $1.1m, Smashes Estimate
June 09, 25
(IDEX Online) - A rare Cartier turquoise and diamond tiara that belonged to Nancy, Viscountess Astor, Britain's first woman member of parliament, sold for $1.1m (£889,400), two-and-a-half times its $434,000 (£350,000) high estimate, at Bonhams London.
It features old brilliant, single, and rose-cut diamonds, with a principal old brilliant-cut diamond at the center, along with three fluted plumes of turquoise gemstones set with diamond stems in an Art Deco design.
Nancy Astor (1879-1964), the American-born wife of the aristocrat Waldorf Astor, 2nd Viscount Astor, (Lord Astor) made history in 1919 when she took her seat at the House of Commons.
As the first serving woman MP she was a prominent advocate for raising the legal drinking age (from 14 to 18) and for lowering the voting age for women (from30 to 21). She was also renowned as a prominent hostess for Britain's social elite, at her estate in Buckinghamshire.
Jean Ghika, Bonhams global head of jewellery said: "The diamond tiara dates to a period when Cartier London were at the height of their creative prowess.
"The distinctive plumes, leaves and scrolls carved in turquoise were drawn from Egyptian, Indian and Persian motifs, which were extensively explored by Cartier throughout the early 20th century.
"The firm's Eastern inspired jewels became hugely fashionable as a result. The tiara hasn't been seen on the market since Lord Astor purchased it from Cartier in 1930."
Pic courtesy Bonhams.