BOUCHERON: A FINE EARLY 20TH CENTURY DIAMOND TIARA/BANDEAU, CIRCA 1910Important information about this lot
Price Realised GBP 352,800
Estimate
GBP 100,000 - GBP 150,000
Estimates do not reflect the final hammer price and do not include buyer's premium, any applicable taxes or artist's resale right. Please see the Conditions of Sale for full details.
Closed: 15 Jun 2023
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BOUCHERON: A FINE EARLY 20TH CENTURY DIAMOND TIARA/BANDEAU, CIRCA 1910
The Parisian jeweller Boucheron has a longstanding reputation of creating some of the most spectacular tiaras of the 20th Century, supplying jewels to royalty and aristocracy across Europe – including the Harcourt emerald and diamond tiara and the Greville honeycomb pattern tiara in the Royal Collection.
This tiara has been in possession of the same British aristocratic family since its acquisition from Boucheron in the early 20th century, purchased by the present owner’s great-grandfather during one of his frequent trips to Paris from London. Treasured by each generation since, the tiara has been worn at State Openings of Parliament as well as receptions at Buckingham Palace.
One of the most striking aspects of this lot is its sheer lightness and delicacy - owing to technological advances of the early 20th century that permitted the use of platinum in jewellery design. The strength of the material allowed jewellers to set diamonds in place using minimal metal creating jewels resembling embroidery, enhanced by the millegrain setting, and an appearance where by the diamonds appear to be floating in the air.
The simplicity of the repetitive chevron pattern used is typical of Art Deco geometric designs and a move away from the swags and ribbons of the preceding Garland style. The bandeau can be worn low on the brow or on top of the head – a reference to how women in ancient Greece secured their hair with narrow bands and well suited also to the latest hair-cut of the early 20th century – short and bobbed à la garçonne.
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You have agreed to be bound by the Conditions of Sale and if your bid is successful, you are legally obliged to pay for the lot you have won. The purchase price for a successful bid will be the sum of your final bid plus a buyer’s premium, any applicable taxes and any artist resale royalty, exclusive of shipping-related expenses.
Condition report
A Christie's specialist may contact you to discuss this lot or to notify you if the condition changes prior to the sale.
The condition of lots can vary widely and the nature of the lots sold means that they are unlikely to be in a perfect condition. Lots are sold in the condition they are in at the time of sale.
- Overall good condition - Bands lightly flexible - Estimated total diamond weight 17.00-18.00 carats (excluding rose-cut diamonds), largest old-cut diamonds weigh approximately 0.75 carats, approximately G-I colour, SI clarity on average - Two brackets to the reverse can be unscrewed, allowing for the bands to raise and lower (through a hinge in the roundels on each side). The two bands can be worn stacked on top of each other, or worn as a single band by detaching the lower section (through a tongue and clasp mechanism) - Height of tiara without the brackets 3.0 cm, with brackets 3.5 cm
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Lot 211Sale 21938
BOUCHERON: A FINE EARLY 20TH CENTURY DIAMOND TIARA/BANDEAU, CIRCA 1910Estimate: GBP 100,000 - 150,000
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