Shropshire Auction: Diamond Bracelet Once Owned by Russian Princess

Shropshire Auction: Diamond Bracelet Once Owned by Russian Princess

Megan Jones
Shropshire Star News

Purportedly once owned by Princess Irena Obolensky, it was last purchased at Christie’s 2005 Important Jewellery Auction.
SOLD: £28,000

A 20-carat diamond bracelet dating back over 100 years was under the hammer at Trevanion Auctioneers & Valuers in Whitchurch this week. Purportedly once owned by Princess Irena Obolensky, it was last purchased at Christie’s 2005 Important Jewellery Auction.

An early 20th century diamond set bracelet, circa 1920, the seven openwork square panels pave set with mixed cut diamonds, with curved double row diamond set spacers, the hinge hidden as a seventh curved spacer, all set in white metal and open to the reverse, 16.5cm long, 43gms, unmarked, total diamond weight estimated 20ct

Provenance: Princess Irena Obolensky (1917-1996) thence by descent, purchased by the current owner at Christie’s 2005 Important Jewellery Auction, lot 205

Accompanied with a facsimile copy of a photograph of Princess Irena Obolensky by Cecil Beaton.

N.B: The composition and workmanship evident in this bracelet is comparable with the jewellery being created by Cartier during the inter war period.

There is a distinct Persian influence to this exquisite diamond bracelet with strong geometric and buckle-link motifs, which are repeated to form the subtle clasp. These decorative motifs were borrowed from across Mughal, Persian and Chinese decorative arts, and formed a key element of Cartier’s style vocabulary in the Art Deco era.

Please see ‘Jewellery by Cartier’ Christies auction catalogue from Thursday 21st May 1992, pages 139 and 145, for pieces including similar design motifs to those used, in this bracelet.

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