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Hannah de Rothschild, Countess of Rosebery's ruby bracelet
Posted by Beth on July 10, 2019, 8:43 am
One the items sold by Sotheby's from the estate of Mary, Duchess of Roxburghe on 12 May 2015 was a striking ruby and diamond bracelet.
The inscription on the back of the central element links the jewel directly to Hannah de Rothschild, Countess of Rosebery, the grandmother of Mary, Duchess of Roxeburgh, as Sarah Cohen, who died in February 1879, was the maternal grandmother of Hannah de Rothschild.
What was not revealed in the auction notes by Sotheby's is that, when she died in 1879, Sarah Cohen left her granddaughter, Hannah de Rothschild one thousand pounds to purchase a bracelet.
Sotheby's noted that the central element of the bracelet is detachable so that it can be worn as either a pendant or a brooch.
[Rear of bracelet showing how central element is joined to the band.]
The rubies in the central element and the band show slightly different setting techniques,
which made me wonder if the entire bracelet was made at the same time and by the same jeweller.
One possibility is that the central section was originally the brooch which Mrs Cohen gave to her granddaughter, Hannah, for her wedding to Lord Rosebery in 1878.
Some reports of Hannah de Rothschild's wedding presents say that Mrs Cohen gave her 2 ruby brooches; some say one. Many describe the ruby brooch as being an "eglantine" brooch, which I presume refers to an eglantine rose.
I know that without access to the private papers of Hannah, Countess of Rosebery, this cannot be proven but a composite jewel explains the different settings.
Some might enjoy watching this video from the advance publicity for the 2015 auction.
Re: Hannah de Rothschild, Countess of Rosebery's ruby bracelet
That's a very convincing conclusion, Beth. And a lovely idea, that a jewel to commemorate a deceased relative would incorporate a wedding present once given by said family member.
If indeed a composite it's particularly well done. The bracelet is gorgeous and the design of the band highlights the centre part in the best possible way.
Re: Hannah de Rothschild, Countess of Rosebery's ruby bracelet
The bracelet reminds me very much of that in the Collection of our current Queen with the detachable Rose of York centre which was originally a wedding present to Queen Mary in 1893 and then given by QM to her grand daughter on her marriage in 1947
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That's a very convincing conclusion, Beth. And a lovely idea, that a jewel to commemorate a deceased relative would incorporate a wedding present once given by said family member. If indeed a composite it's particularly well done. The bracelet is gorgeous and the design of the band highlights the centre part in the best possible way.
on July 10, 2019, 8:43 am
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