Astor tiara sells for £889,400 at Bonhams London Jewels auction

A turquoise and diamond tiara once owned by Nancy, Viscountess Astor has sold for £889,400 at Bonhams’ London Jewels sale, more than three times its pre-sale estimate.

The Cartier-designed piece, dating from around 1930, had remained in the Astor family since it was first purchased by Lord Astor from Cartier London. Described as “exceptionally rare” by the auction house, the tiara was offered on the market for the first time in nearly a century.

Of Eastern inspiration, the design features old brilliant, single and rose-cut diamonds set with carved turquoise plumes, leaves and scrolls. Bonhams said the motifs were drawn from Egyptian, Indian and Persian sources.

Viscountess Astor was born Nancy Witcher Langhorne in Danville, Virginia, and became the first woman to take her seat in the House of Commons. She represented the Plymouth Sutton constituency from 1919 to 1945.

After marrying Waldorf Astor, 2nd Viscount Astor, in 1906, she became known for her political advocacy and for hosting Britain’s social elite at Cliveden, the couple’s Buckinghamshire estate.

The tiara was among 104 lots offered at Bonhams New Bond Street. The sale also featured pieces from Boucheron, Bulgari, Buccellati, Chaumet, Grima, Mauboussin, Tiffany and Co., and Van Cleef and Arpels.

Among other highlights, a set of three mid-19th Century diamond-set rose brooches, each formed as a sculptural budding rose with diamond-set leaves, sold for £305,200 – more than six times the pre-sale estimate of £50,000–80,000.

An emerald and diamond ring from around 1930, featuring a 4.13-carat step-cut Colombian emerald, sold for £229,000, exceeding its estimate more than sevenfold.

A coloured diamond ring, centred on a 2.01-carat Fancy Intense Orangey Pink diamond with additional marquise-cut and pavé-set stones, achieved £127,400 within its pre-sale estimate of £100,000–150,000.

A Boodles diamond single stone ring, set with a 9.12-carat brilliant-cut diamond, fetched £203,600, more than double its £80,000–120,000 estimate.

A natural pearl and diamond necklace with two strands of saltwater pearls and an openwork diamond clasp was sold for £178,200, against an estimate of £60,000–80,000.

A pair of diamond chandelier earrings, set with pear-cut diamonds totalling approximately 28.00 carats, realised £76,600, exceeding the £40,000–60,000 guide price.

Jean Ghika, Bonhams global head of jewellery, said: “London Jewels featured an impressive selection of jewellery, but undoubtedly, the star of the sale was the Astor turquoise and diamond tiara by Cartier, formerly in the collection of Nancy, Viscountess Astor.

“The tiara hadn’t been seen on the market since Lord Astor purchased it from Cartier in 1930, and we were honoured to have been entrusted to sell the jewel at auction for the first time in nearly a century.”