THE 'POLTIMORE TIARA'

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Details

THE 'POLTIMORE TIARA'
Designed as a graduated line of cushion-shaped and old-cut diamond clusters alternating with diamond-set scroll motifs, each surmounted by old-cut diamond terminals, to the collet-set diamond line, mounted in silver and gold, circa 1870, 19.2 cm. maximum diameter, convertible to a necklace and eleven brooches, with screwdriver and brooch fittings, in fitted blue leather case

Provenance

Made in 1870 by Garrard for Lady Poltimore, the wife of the second Baron Poltimore and Treasurer to Queen Victoria's household 1872-1874. Sold by public auction on 29th January 1959 for £5,500 as 'a highly important tiara' belonging to the Right Honourable Lord Poltimore, who was the fourth Baron Poltimore (1882-1965).

Literature

Leslie Field, The Queen's Jewels, The Personal Collection of Elizabeth II, Harry N. Abrams, 1987, p. 35
Suzy Menkes, The Royal Jewels, Grafton Books, 1984, pp. 108, 49-150.
G. Munn, Tiaras: A History of Splendour, Antique Collectors' Club, 2001, pp. 172, 177 ff.
Christopher Warwick, Princess Margaret A Life of Contrasts, London 2002, page 229

Special Notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

The tiara was purchasesed upon the recommendation of Lord Plunket, who was Deputy Master of the Household from 1954 to 1975. It was acquired in 1959 before the official announcement by H.M. Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother on 26th February 1960 of the engagement of H.R.H. The Princess Margaret to Mr Antony Armstrong-Jones. The Princess wore the tiara in its form as a splendid fringe necklace on several occasions before her actual marriage and also as a necklace and brooches on many State and official fonctions throughout the rest of her life. Yet it was on her wedding day, arriving at Westminster Abbey by horse-drawn carriage, that H.R.H. The Princess Margaret first wore this impressive piece as the 'Poltimore Tiara'

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