Art Deco Cartier brooch features in first Chiswick Auction of the year

13 May 2021

Chiswick Auctions is delighted to announce its first Jewellery auction of 2021 featuring an Art Deco Cartier brooch from a New York socialite.

The auction is led by a rare Art Deco Cartier diamond and rock crystal lapel brooch, circa 1925. Formerly owned by the New York socialite Miss Mary Augusta McCagg. This brooch has not been on the open market since it’s purchase in the mid 1920s, making this a rare example to be maintained within one family for nearly a century.

This Cartier label brooch is a wonderful example of the early influence Indian art had on the jewellery being created by Cartier. Dating to circa 1925, the finely pierced setting shows Indian themes while embracing a highly monochrome colour palate, typical of early Art Deco jewellery.

This combined with Cartier’s pioneering use of rock crystal makes this a striking example from arguably the firm’s most important period of output. Pre-auction estimate £12,000-15,000.

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The auction also features a wide selection of the ‘Brilliantly British’. Prominent British jewellery designers from the 19th to 21st century are all represented. Of note is a private London collection from a personal friend of Wendy Ramshaw (1939-2018). Ramshaw who just passed away at the end of 2018 was a celebrated English jeweller who’s highly collectable works can be found at the V&A, the British Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and The National Museum of Modern Art in Kyoto. Highlights from this collection include two of Ramshaw’s iconic ring towers, one made of gold and diamonds (Lot 1, estimate £1500-2000), the other of silver and moonstone (Lot 3, estimate £500-700). All the pieces were made bespoke for the vendor and one comes accompanied by its original design drawing.

 

And of course no jewellery auction would be complete without some showstopping diamonds. We are very happy to offer a certified 5.47 carat step-cut diamond ring (Lot 108, estimate £15,000-20,000), a certified 4.10 carat pearshaped Fancy Yellow diamond ring (Lot 97, estimate £18,000-22,000), and a certified 5.75 carat pear-shaped diamond pendant (Lot 92, estimate £10,000-15,000).

Viewings will take place by appointment in Chiswick Auction's South Kensington and Chiswick galleries and also via Zoom.

For more information, interetsed parties can contact Sarah Duncan, Chiswick Auction's Head of Jewellery.

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source: Chiswick Auctions