Christie’s London sale of Important Jewels on Wednesday 13 June 2012 comprises 368 lots, including stunning royal and aristocratic jewels formerly from both The Collection of Her Imperial Highness Princess Soraya Esfandiary Bakhtiary and The Property of Beatrice Countess of Granard OBE, as well as from The Collection of The Late Countess of Dudley which is led by a superb Art Deco diamond tiara by Cartier (estimate: £100,000-150,000). Spanning four centuries, the sale presents a strong array of rare historic rings, diamonds and pearls showcasing The Cowdray Pearls (estimate: £280,000-350,000), with estimates ranging from £2,000 to £350,000. The roll call of signed jewels by the leading houses and designers includes: Boucheron, Cartier and Chaumet to Chopard, Graff and Van Cleef & Arpels.

Royal, aristocratic and historic jewels

The Cowdray Pearls, a rare natural pearl necklace, composed of a single row of thirty-eight graduated natural grey pearls, lead the sale (estimate: £280,000-350,000). One of 17 jewels offered from the Collection of The Late Countess of Dudley, also known as the beautiful, vivacious and talented actress and dancer Maureen Swanson, is the superb Art Deco Cartier tiara; a star lot in the sale (estimate: £100,000-150,000).

Leading the small group of jewels formerly from the collection of HIH Princess Soraya Esfandiary Bakhtiary (lots 289-293) is a 12.15 carat diamond circular single-stone ring (estimate: £70,000-100,000). Another ring with notable provenance is an Edwardian sapphire and diamond ring, circa 1905, which was formerly in the collection of Beatrice Countess of Granard OBE (estimate: £30,000-40,000) . Smaller and very accessible historic lots include a striking array of rings spanning medieval times to the 18th century, which are offered from The Property of a Lady (estimates range from £500 up to £2,500).

Cartier

Always a highlight of the London sale, the regular Cartier section features over 40 lots, from jewels and cufflinks to watches, clocks and accessories. Jewellery highlights include an important Art Deco diamond and gem bracelet of Oriental inspiration, circa 1925 (estimate: £100,000-150,000), as well as a pair of exquisite platinum and diamond ear pendants, composed of a graduated line of three brilliant-cut diamonds, suspending a pear-shaped diamond drop (estimate: £100,000-150,000).

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