A natural pearl necklace, circa 1900. Sold for £88,900 (€113,089). Photo Bonhams
Composed of 47 graduated pearls, measuring from 6.50 to 9.30mm, to a late nineteenth century diamond cluster clasp, the central cushion-shaped diamond weighing approximately 2.35 carats, mounted in silver and gold, remaining diamonds approximately 0.30 carat total, length 38.5cm
Accompanied by a report from SSEF stating that the pearls are natural, saltwater. Report number 76944, dated 17 October 2014.
A single-strand natural pearl necklace. Sold for £80,500 (€102,404). Photo Bonhams
The graduated row of 77 pearls, measuring from 4.05 to 8.10mm, to an early 20th century old brilliant and rose-cut diamond barrel clasp, length 49.0cm, cased by Carrington & Co, 130 Regent Street, W.
Accompanied by a report from AnchorCert stating that the pearls are natural, saltwater. Report number 20018900, dated 12 September 2014.
Accompanied by a report from SSEF stating that the pearls are natural, saltwater. Report number 76943, dated 17 October 2014.
A pair of natural pearl and diamond earrings. Sold for £45,000 (€57,244). Photo Bonhams
Each round white and grey pearl, measuring 10.94 – 11.11mm and 12.50 – 12.60mm, with a brilliant-cut diamond surmount, diamonds approximately 0.70 carat total, length 1.8cm
Accompanied by a report from GCS stating that the pearls are natural, saltwater. Report number 5775-769, dated 22 October 2014.
A natural pearl ring, circa 1920. Sold for £42,500 (€54,064). Photo Bonhams
The half-drilled bouton pearl, measuring 12.55 – 12.80mm, between baguette-cut diamond shoulders, mounted in platinum, French assay mark, ring size K
Accompanied by a report from SSEF stating that the pearl is natural, saltwater. Report number 76159, dated 9 September 2014.
A single-row natural pearl necklace, circa 1910. Sold for £40,000 (€50,884). Photo Bonhams
The graduated row of 81 natural pearls, measuring from 4.25 to 8.06mm, with an old brilliant-cut diamond clasp, fitted case by Hennell
Accompanied by a report from SSEF stating that the pearls are natural, saltwater. Report number 77350, dated 31 October 2014.
A single-row natural pearl necklace. Sold for £27,500 (€34,982). Photo Bonhams
The graduated row of 69 pearls, measuring from 5.00 to 7.58mm, with a half-pearl and old brilliant-cut diamond clasp,diamonds approximately 0.30 carat total, length 47.2cm
Accompanied by a report from AnchorCert stating that an extensive sample of the pearls are natural, saltwater. Report number 20018440, dated 19 August 2014.
A double-row pearl necklace. Sold for £25,000 (€31,802). Photo Bonhams
The two rows of 101 pearls, measuring from 5.6 to 7.0mm, to the millegrain-set single-cut diamond and oval-cut peridot clasp, length of shortest row 40.5cm
Accompanied by a report from GCS stating that 98 of the pearls are natural, saltwater, and 3 are cultured. Report number 5774-659, dated 16 September 2014.
Provenance: Lady Houston (1857-1936)
The adventuress and philanthropist, Lucy, Lady Houston, was one of the richest women in Britain. Her financial support of the British aviation team in competing for the Schneider Trophy stimulated the advancement of engine technology that led to the development of the Spitfire fighter plane during World War Two.
The prestigious Schneider Trophy, held eleven times between 1913 and 1931, was an international award presented to the country who designed the fastest seaplane over a specified course. When the British Government, faced with economic depression, controversially withdrew their financial support of the team, Lady Houston came to the rescue with a private donation of £100,000 (£5 million in today’s money). She wrote « the supremacy of English airmen can only be upheld by their entrance for the Schneider Trophy and I consider this of supreme importance ».
On 13 September 1931 nearly half a million people gathered on the shores of the Solent to witness Britain’s attempt to secure the trophy. Lady Houston watched aboard her yacht the « Liberty ». Not only was the British Supermarine seaplane victorious but it also broke the world speed record.
The lessons learned in building these racing seaplanes helped Reginald Mitchell to develop the Supermarine Spitfire used by the RAF and other allied countries during World War Two and it became the backbone of fighter command during the Battle of Britain. Lady Houston died on 26 December 1936, months after the Spitfire’s first flight.
For another natural pearl necklace belonging to Lady Houston, see Bonhams catalogue, The Art of Jewels, London, 9 December 2009, lot 155.
A six-row natural pearl necklace. Sold for £23,750 (€30,212). Photo Bonhams
The six graduated rows of pearls, measuring from 3.2 to 6.9mm, to the openwork old brilliant and rose-cut diamond and enamel clasp, two diamonds deficient, length of shortest row 34.5cm
Accompanied by a report from GCS stating that of the 368 pearls, one is cultured and the remainder are natural, saltwater. Report number 5775-797, dated 22 October 2014.
A natural pearl necklace with diamond clasp, circa 1910. Sold for £22,500. Photo Bonhams
Composed of 129 pearls, measuring from 2.25 to 7.75mm, to a marquise-cut diamond single-stone clasp, diamond approximately 0.75 carat, length 63.5cm
Accompanied by a report from SSEF stating that the pearls are natural, saltwater. Report number 76158, dated 9 September 2014.
A natural pearl and diamond pendant-necklace. Sold for £20,000 (€25,442). Photo Bonhams
The tassel pendant set to the centre with a principal brilliant-cut diamond, weighing approximately 1.95 carats, between two natural pearls measuring 7.8 and 7.5mm, suspending a five-row graduated natural pearl and marquise-cut diamond fringe, each drop terminating in a natural pearl, to a necklace of alternating marquise and brilliant-cut diamonds,remaining diamonds approximately 16.50 carats total, length 38.5cm
Accompanied by a report from GCS stating that the pearls are natural, saltwater. Report number 5775-978, dated 7 November 2014.
A natural pearl and emerald necklace, circa 1900. Sold for £12,500 (€15,901). Photo Bonhams
The single row of 61 graduating pearls, measuring from 3.76 to 6.57mm, alternating at intervals with emerald beads, to a later marquise-cut emerald clasp with channel-set border of single-cut diamonds, length 49.5cm
Accompanied by a report from GIA stating that the pearls are natural, saltwater. Report number 2165445333, dated 12 August 2014.
A single-row natural pearl necklace, circa 1915. Sold for £12,500 (€15,901). Photo Bonhams
The graduated row of 95 pearls, measuring from 2.5 to 8.0mm, to the old brilliant and single-cut diamond and emerald clasp, length 49.5cm
Accompanied by a report from GCS stating that the pearls are natural, saltwater. Report number 5775-830, dated 22 October 2014.
Provenance: Given to a member of the Furness shipping family in 1916
By descent to the current owner
A three-row natural pearl necklace. Sold for £12,500 (€15,901). Photo Bonhams
The three graduated rows of natural pearls, measuring from 2.9 to 7.9mm, to the clasp set with a pear-shaped ruby within a surround of old brilliant-cut diamonds, diamonds approximately 0.60 carat total, one diamond deficient, length of shortest row 60.5cm
Accompanied by a report from GCS stating that the pearls are natural saltwater, apart from three cultured pearls. Report number 5775-950, dated 29 October 2014.
A three-row natural pearl necklace. Sold for £11,250 (€14,311). Photo Bonhams
The three graduated rows of natural pearls, measuring from 2.3 to 6.1mm, to the rose-cut diamond clasp, length of shortest row 47.0cm
Accompanied by a report from The Gem & Pearl Laboratory stating that the pearls are natural, saltwater. Report number 10235, dated 25 July 2014.
A pair of natural pearl and diamond pendent earrings, circa 1910. Sold for £10,000 (€12,721). Photo Bonhams
Each pearl drop, measuring 7.8 and 7.6mm, with a rose-cut diamond cap, suspended from an articulated row of old brilliant-cut and cushion-shaped diamonds, in millegrain settings, mounted in platinum, length 3.2cm
Accompanied by a report from GCS stating that the pearls are natural, saltwater. Report number 5775-748, dated 14 October 2014.
A late 19th century natural pearl, rose-cut diamond and ruby bee brooch. Sold for £6,875 (€8,745). Photo Bonhams
The abdomen set with a single natural pearl, measuring 9.59 – 10.06mm, the body, head and wings set with circular and rose-cut diamonds, mounted in silver and gold, with a gold trace-link safety pin decorated with seed pearls, diameter 4.2cm
Accompanied by a report from AnchorCert stating that the pearl is natural, saltwater. Report number 20019618, dated 15 October 2014.
A natural pearl and diamond flower brooch-clip, circa 1950. Sold for £3,750 (€4,770). Photo Bonhams
The stems set with baguette-cut diamonds and the leaves and flowers with marquise-cut diamonds, issuing two natural pearls, each measuring 5.64 – 5.70mm and 5.21 – 5.23mm, diamonds approximately 5.00 carats total, length 5.0cm, cased by Linden & Co, 85 New Bond St, London W.1.
Accompanied by a report from GCS stating that the pearls are natural, saltwater. Report number 5775-886, dated 30 October 2014.
A single-row natural pearl necklace. Estimate £15,000 – 20,000 (€19,000 – 25,000). Unsold. Photo Bonhams
The graduated row of 90 pearls, measuring from 3.35 to 7.65mm, to the brilliant and single-cut diamond clasp, diamonds approximately 0.30 carat total, indistinct maker’s mark, French assay marks, length 44.5cm
Accompanied by a report from SSEF stating that 89 pearls are natural, saltwater, and one is cultured. Report number 77263, dated 28 October 2014.
A pearl and diamond brooch, circa 1915. Estimate £12,000 – 18,000 (€15,000 – 23,000). Unsold. Photo Bonhams
The fluttering old brilliant, single and rose-cut diamond ribbon bow with three pearl highlights, suspending a natural pearl drop, mounted in platinum, diamonds approximately 1.20 carats total, length 4.4cm, fitted case by MacMichaels Ltd, 48 South Audley Street, London
Accompanied by a report from GCS stating that the pearl drop was found to be natural, saltwater. Report number 5775-838, dated 22 October 2014.
Provenance: Given to a member of the Furness shipping family in 1916
By descent to the current owner
A single-row natural pearl necklace. Estimate £6,000 – 8,000 (€7,600 – 10,000). Unsold. Photo Bonhams
The graduated row of 64 natural pearls, measuring from 4.7 to 6.3mm, with a single and rose-cut diamond clasp, length 37.8cm
Accompanied by a report from GCS stating that the pearls are natural, saltwater. Report number 5775-957, dated 3 November 2014.
A pair of natural pearl and diamond earrings. Estimate £5,000 – 7,000 (€6,400 – 8,900). Unsold. Photo Bonhams
The cartouche-shaped drops, each set to the centre with a natural pearl of 9.1 and 8.5mm, the scrolled frame set with rose-cut diamonds with a briolette-cut diamond drop, length 3.2cm
Accompanied by a report from GCS stating that both pearls are natural, saltwater. Report number 5775-895, dated 31 October 2014.
A pair of natural pearl and diamond pendent earrings. Estimate £4,000 – 6,000 (€5,100 – 7,600). Unsold. Photo Bonhams
The natural pearl drops, measuring 8.22 – 9.20mm and 7.40 – 9.09mm, each with rose-cut diamond cap and single-cut diamond surmount, length 2.0cm
Accompanied by a report from AnchorCert stating that the pearls are natural, saltwater. Report number 20018254, dated 7 August 2014.
Bonhams. FINE JEWELLERY, 4 Dec 2014 13:00 GMT – LONDON, NEW BOND STREET
