Above in the paiting Elizabeth Lady Decies is pictured with her famous Cartier jewels at the Coronation in 1937.
We could see her Magnificent Diamond Tiara in the Garland Style by Cartier in 1917, designed as five graduation laurel wreaths each set at the centre with a circular-cut diamond drop, resting on a delicate base of interwinding scrolls and ribbons, each centre, respectively set with a larger cushion-shaped diamond weighing approximately 4.90ct, 5.25ct, 4.70ct 5.25ct and 7.55ct (centre) and four 3.00ct, 3.50ct, 3.50ct and 3.00ct. The balance of the diamonds weighing a total of approximately 150.00ct
, alternating with formal floral shaped aigrettes, the latter respectively surmounted by a larger single diamond finial.
Ffour of the larger diamonds may be mounted as pendant earrings in platinum.
The Laurel wreath tiara was made to special order in 1917 in the earlier Garland Style, by Cartier New York.
The name 'garland style' was coined to describe the neo-classical swags and wreaths that were frequently seen in Cartiers design repertoire. The flexibility and lightness of construction was made possible through the use of the metal platinum which Louis Cartier had referred to as 'the embroidery of jewellery'.
In 1909 Cartier opened a branch in New York. It was a well timed decision since affluent Americans had been their biggest spenders while on trips abroad. While European heiresses often wore inherited jewels, America's version of royalty required impressive and expensive pieces that gave testament to their wealth and position.
"...........Lady Decies, wife of Lord Decies, coach Roy on at Worth's in Paris of the robe she will wear at the Coronation ceremony. Before her wedding in Paris in May last year (1936)to the 70-year-old Lord Decies , Lady Decies was Miss HS Lehr, widow of Mr Henry Symes Lehr, an American. Lady Decies in her Coronation robe. 17 April 1937
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LATE LADY DECIES £279,238 estate: Probate for will in U.S. NEW YORK, Friday.—Probate has been granted here of the will of Elizabeth Baroness Decies, widow of the fifth Baron. Lady Decies. who died in 1944, was socially prominent in New York and Paris.
She left net estate of £258,811 (gross £279,238), which included diamond necklaces, tiaras and other items, valued at £18.484
Lady Decies |Garland Diamond Tiara|Cartier Diamond Wreath Diadem Mrs.Harry Lehr| Elizabeth de la Poer Beresford Drexel| England Aristocratic Noble Jewel History
The Diamond Earrings are part of her Garland Style Diamond Tiara made by Cartier NY around 1917, the Garland Cartier Diamond Tiara are sold in 1997 together with the earrings and pendants.
The important diamond sautoir of oval Wreath links and small bows between, with tassels on the end and are also made by Cartier NY, nothing is know about the whereabout.
On her arm she wore four diamond bracelts.
Source: Sotheby's; Christie's;Alamy,Petit Palais, musée des Beaux-arts de la Ville de Paris
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