Although the title of Marquess could not be inherited by female descendants, the title of Baron Ravensdale could be inherited by the eldest daughter: Irene.
Her jewels do not seem to have been discussed previously. Because some have come to auction in recent years, there is some information about those.
In this post, I would like to look at her rubies: a necklace created by Cartier in 1936, and a brooch and earring set created by Van Cleef and Arpels. All that Bonhams, which auctioned the latter in April 2013 noted was that the set was made circa 1930.
See https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20622/lot/111/
According to Bonhams' website all but one of the stones in the set are rubies, with one stone now being a tourmaline. Presumably, at some stage, one of the rubies in the brooch was lost or broken and a tourmaline (I suspect a rubellite) was inserted.
Bonhams https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20622/lot/111/
Brooch
Earrings
We don't have a precise date for when the brooch and earrings were created by Van Cleef and Arpels, though it is known from the Christie's site that the ruby necklace was made in 1936.
Christie's. https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/Lot/an-impressive-art-deco-ruby-and-diamond-5213724-details.aspx
The necklace can be disassembled to form bracelets and a brooch.
From Christie's auction site https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/Lot/an-impressive-art-deco-ruby-and-diamond-5213724-details.aspx
The complete set of rubies was a favourite with Baroness Ravensdale. She wore the jewels frequently, sometimes as a set, sometimes separately. Perhaps the most memorable occasion on which she wore the jewels was the 1937 Coronation.
1932 earrings
1937 Coronation
Other occasions when parts of the jewels were worn.
1937 Necklace and brooch
1951
1946
1946
1948
1
Responses
« Back to index | View thread »