In June, Bonhams will offer a rare and historic piece of jewelry for sale: the Cartier turquoise and diamond tiara once owned by Nancy Astor, the first woman to serve in the British Parliament.
This tiara is a symbol of both Cartier’s design mastery from the early 20th century and Astor’s remarkable legacy. It is expected to fetch between $330,000 and $470,000 during Bonhams’ London Jewels sale on June 5.
The tiara was worn by Lady Astor at the 1931 London premiere of City Lights, where she mingled with Charlie Chaplin, the film’s star and director, and playwright George Bernard Shaw. Crafted from platinum, the piece features a 3-carat center diamond and approximately 11 carats of old brilliant- and single-cut diamonds. Since its purchase by her husband, Waldorf Astor, around 1930, the tiara has not been seen on the market.
The design of the tiara combines Western and Eastern styles, reflecting the period’s trend for blending different cultural influences. Its turquoise plumes, diamond stems, and fan-shaped panels are inspired by Egyptian, Indian, and Persian art. The piece showcases Cartier’s skill at creating exquisite, intricate designs during the height of the brand’s creative period.
Jean Ghika, Bonhams’ global head of jewelry, praised the tiara’s exceptional provenance and the unique fusion of artistic influences in its design. “We are honored to present it for sale for the first time in nearly a century,” she said.
Born in Virginia in 1879, Nancy Astor moved to England in 1905. She became a well-known society figure and advocated for temperance, education, and women’s rights. In 1919, she won the parliamentary seat once held by her husband, who had been elevated to the House of Lords. Astor served in Parliament until 1945 and passed away in 1964.
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