Caroline Ryan Foulke (1910-1987) was born into a family of vast wealth. Raised in her family’s New York City townhouse, she spent her summers in Oak Ridge, Virginia where she learned to ride and hunt, and became a brilliant equestrian. An inveterate sailor, she travelled extensively on numerous yachts, including the ‘Versatile’ which she purchased from Harold Vanderbilt. Foulke’s passion for travel lead to frequent visits to Baden-Baden throughout her life, as well as to her magnificent apartment in Paris on 24 Avenue Gabriel.

During the early 1920s, Caroline Ryan Foulke attended the renowned Foxcroft School near Middleburg, Virginia. It was here that she came under the guidance of Miss Charlotte Noland, who was one of the biggest influences in her early life. Miss Charlotte instilled in Foulke a love of history and art, a passion that would stay with young Caroline throughout her life.

World War II brought many changes to Foulke’s life. Admirably, she voluntarily signed on with the Red Cross and spent six weeks at boot camp in Washington, D.C. Shortly after, Foulke sailed on the ‘Queen Mary’ to London as one of 75 women, among 17,000 men. She arrived in London and worked long, arduous hours as a hostess at the American officer’s club. Foulke also allowed enlisted men to use her apartment at the Ritz as a haven during wartime.

Caroline Ryan Foulke’s unabashed dedication to her country in a time of need was indicative of her generous character and caring heart. She left a comfortable, affluent lifestyle in New York City to commit her time to the war efforts and support those in need. After the war, she returned to New York City and married Calvin Pardee Foulke. Although the marriage did not last, she retained his name. She remained in New York at her 720 Park Avenue apartment and continued her life as a prominent charitable and philanthropic activist.

Foulke’s grandfather was Thomas Fortune Ryan, the celebrated financier, who was credited with the consolidation of the street railway system in New York City. His influence extended over resources in banking, public utilities and industrial enterprises totaling over a billion dollars. One of the most extravagant of his ventures was the development of mining interests in the Belgian Congo. His part ownership of the diamond fields and his family’s relationship with the jeweler Harry Winston, sparked his granddaughter's interest and desire to acquire fine jewels.

In addition to procuring impressive jewelry, Caroline Ryan Foulke was also an avid collector of American fine and decorative arts; she sought to perpetuate these fields both at home and abroad. She is particularly well-known for her interest in the preservation and furnishing of the Stratford Hall Plantation in Virginia, to which she made a substantial donation of furniture, silver and books. Additionally, she worked with the American Museum in Britain at Bath and also had loaned a portrait of George Washington by Charles Willson Peale to the American Embassy in Paris.

Mrs. Foulke curated her collection with excellent taste and an eye for quality. Christie’s has had the privilege of offering the Collection of Caroline Ryan Foulke in 1986, 1987 and 1992 and is honored to once again present treasures formerly from her collection. Lots 123-139 present an assemblage of personalized objects and impressive jewelry that continue to carry on the glamour and elegant sophistication of Caroline Ryan Foulke.