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