Jewellery worn by ‘the real Lady Chatterley’ comes to auction

Jewellery pieces worn and owned by the woman believed to be the inspiration behind literary character Lady Chatterley is due to be auctioned at Wooley and Wallis Auctioneers.

Aristocrat Lady Ottoline Morrel was a literary hostess, and she was parodied in several novels during her lifetime, most famously as Hermione Roddice in D.H. Lawrence’s ‘Women in Love’ and Aldous Huxley satirized Garsington, and Ottoline as Priscilla Wimbush, in ‘Crome Yellow’.

She is also widely believed to be the inspiration behind Lawrence’s Lady Chatterley character in ‘Lady Chatterley’s Lover’ with parts of the novel inspired by Morrel’s fling with a young stonemason.

Morrel’s pieces will come to auction on 26 October, and includes 12 items from her collection including silver earrings and diamond rings. The whole lot is expected to be sold for £6,500.

Marielle Whiting, head of department, said: “Woolley and Wallis jewellery department are delighted to be bringing the Lady Ottoline Morrell collection to auction. Renowned for her striking and eccentric beauty, these pieces are truly reflective of their owner and her intriguing and unique style.

“We are particularly excited to present an unusual fancy yellow diamond cluster ring, surrounded by demantoid garnets, which certainly stands out as a striking colour combination within a more typical early 20th Century mount.”