The present lot is from the collection of Sir William Riddell, 1^st Baron Birdwood (1865-1951). One of the most decorated military figures of the 20^th century, Birdwood served on the staff of Lord Kitchener in the Second Boer War, as well as commanding the ANZAC and British Armies at Gallipoli and the Western Front during the First World War. Promoted to Field Marshall in 1925, he went on to his final military post becoming Commander-in-Chief, India from 1925-1930. Domestic and foreign honours include several British Orders of Chivalry and a French and Belgian Croix de Guerre.

Birdwood married Janetta Bromhead, daughter of Sir Benjamin Bromhead, in 1893 and they enjoyed a long and happy marriage. Due to his military standing and long history of service to the Royal Family (such as acting as Aide-de-Camp General of George V and performing the ceremonial role of Gold Stick in Waiting at the coronation of George VI in 1937), they often dined with the most prominent figures of the day – including Lord Kitchener, Winston Churchill, Earl Haig and George V. These jewels, gifted by Birdwood to Janetta, were worn at such occasions.