Dubbed the ‘Prince of Wales Feathers brooch,’ it was created after the original from c.1935, which Edward VII gave to Wallis Simpson and was purchased by Elizabeth Taylor at auction in 1987. It went on to take $1m at Christie’s sale of the actress’ estate in 2011.
When the brooch in question showed up at a valuation day in Sutton, the auction house described it as a “jaw-dropping moment”.
Measuring nearly 3in (7cm) high, the platinum plume of feathers is set with baguette and brilliant-cut diamonds, the baguettes forming the feather spines, which are gathered by a diamond-set yellow gold crown. It is estimated at £4000-6000.
Catherine Southon offers the piece in its 20th sale on May 2. This one represents the auctioneer’s most extensive consignment of jewellery to date, with more than 200 lots offered from two large estates.
Other highlights in the jewellery offering, which makes up a third of the sale, are an 8.5ct diamond ring, estimated at £15,000-20,000 and a good-quality art deco diamond-set ring with a 2.5ct centre stone guided at £6000-8000.
