These brooches date from the eighteenth century. Could they be part
of the Clanricarde diamonds that the Princess' husband Viscount Lascelles
inherited from his eccentric great-uncle, the Earl of Clanricarde?
"Upon her marriage, the Princess received the Clanricarde diamonds
which had been kept in a bank vault for over a century. According
to legend, it had been prophesied over two hundred years previously
that these diamonds would be worn by a King's daughter. " The Clanricarde Jewels - one of seven which was rebuild from old jewels with new settings.
Source: Christie's; Illustrated London News Royal Wedding
Number; Papi and Rhodes, Famous Jewelry Collectors,Battenberg;
Zwei schöne diamantbesetzte Straußenfedernbroschen mit
beweglichen Gliedern, die die Federn vibrieren lassen.
Dieser Schmuck konnte als Brosche oder im hochgestecktem Haar getragen
werden.
Composed of three cushion-shaped diamonds mounted as a half-hoop
with carved scrolled shoulders to the plain gold hoop, sold in auction
1970, see picture above.
The Begum of Bhopal presented to Princess Mary a pearl pendant, which
was a popular piece of jewellery at the time.
But another source for royal and imperial jewels, the list of jewels
sold after the death of the Dowager Empress Marie Feodorovna, gives
us the following information.
A valuation of the Dowager Empress' jewelry prepared by Hennell
and Sons listed as item number 6 was a "Necklace of 144 pearls
(small) with large drop pearl" sold to Lord Lascelles on
19th July 1929 for £1,615.
This piece could be the long pearl necklace with drop pearl worn
by Princess Mary in the photo to the right. She is wearing a total
of four pearl necklaces in different lengths. On behalf of an English
family, a magnificent and rare natural pearl and diamond drop (the
pearl weighing 164 grains) was sold by Humphrey Butler Ltd. London
in 2010.
Another jewel found on the Hennell's list which was sold to Princess
Royal was number 27, a diamond, sapphire & garnet pendant on
platinum chain sold to her on 28 June 1929 for £10.
The photo of Princess Royal Mary with her sons also shows us a nice
view of her square-cut emerald engagement ring.
Special thanks to Jonathan and Laura for the research
and text!
Credit picture of the pearl:Humphrey Butler Ltd