Tiara Smashes High Estimate at Bonhams London

 
A tiara that belonged to Viscountess Nancy Astor more than doubled its top presale price to rake in GBP 889,400 ($1.2 million) at a recent London jewelry sale at Bonhams. 

The piece, which Lord Astor purchased from Cartier in 1930, contains old brilliant-, single- and rose-cut diamonds, centering a principal old brilliant-cut diamond. It includes three turquoise plumes set with brilliant- and single-cut diamond stems, while each side of the tiara has a radiating fan-shaped turquoise panel design. The jewel hit the market for the first time, carrying a high estimate of GBP 350,000 ($474,128), at the June 5 London Jewels sale, Bonhams said last week. 

Viscountess Astor, American-born Nancy Witcher Langhorn, met her husband, compatriot Waldorf Astor, on her voyage to England in 1905. She was the first woman to sit in British Parliament, serving from 1919 to 1945.  

The sale featured 104 lots, many carrying colored diamonds and gemstones. The offering spanned centuries and hailed from famous design houses including Bulgari, Chaumet, and Tiffany & Co.  

The leading five items at the auction all surpassed their presale estimates. 

Here are the rest of the top five pieces: 

Mid-19th-century brooch featuring three sculptural roses blossoming among buds, set with cushion-cut diamonds in total and rose-cut diamonds at Bonhams image
A mid-19th-century brooch features three sculptural roses blossoming among buds, set with cushion-cut diamonds weighing around 75 carats in total and rose-cut diamonds. It demolished its high estimate of GBP 80,00 ($108,256) to go for GBP 305,200 ($412,995). 
Ring featuring a step-cut Colombian emerald between stepped baguette-cut diamond shoulders at Bonhams image
A ring with a step-cut, 4.13-carat Colombian emerald between stepped baguette-cut diamond shoulders realized GBP 229,000 ($309,882), more than quadrupling its GBP 50,000 ($67,660) presale price. 
Boodles ring featuring a brilliant-cut diamond between smaller brilliant-cut diamond shoulders at Bonhams image
This Boodles ring brought in GBP 203,600 ($275,551), well over its GBP 120,000 ($162,558) high estimate. It features a brilliant-cut, 9.12-carat, G-color, VS2-clarity diamond between brilliant-cut diamond shoulders. 
Necklace with two strands of natural pearls, as well as a clasp set with old brilliant- and rose-cut diamonds at Bonhams image
Bonhams sold this necklace with two strands of natural pearls graduating in size toward the center, as well as a clasp set with old brilliant- and rose-cut diamonds. It smashed its high presale price of GBP 80,000 ($108,256) to fetch GBP 178,200 ($241,139).  

 

Main image: Nancy Astor’s tiara. (Bonhams)