Barbara Taylor Bradford’s Brooches Head to Auction

By Annie Davidson Watson | April 21, 2025

New York auction house Doyle will hold a live sale on May 7 of The Collection of Barbara Taylor Bradford OBE, including several captivating bird brooches.

Bradford (pictured), who died in November 2024 at the age of 91, was the author of 40 novels that sold over 92 million copies total around the globe. Her debut novel, A Woman of Substance, published in 1979, became an all-time best seller. Prior to becoming a fiction writer, the Yorkshire-born Bradford was a groundbreaking journalist in the U.K. She had a column syndicated worldwide and wrote books on interior design.

In 2007, Queen Elizabeth II made Bradford an officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services to literature. The author also received honorary doctorates from five universities. She was married for 55 years to American film producer Robert Bradford, and her social circle included royalty, presidents, prime ministers, and stars of the stage and screen.

The upcoming Doyle auction will feature nearly 200 lots that tell Bradford’s story, including her typewriter, paintings of her beloved dogs, rare first editions of her books, and gifts received from British prime ministers. In addition to several groups of costume jewelry, the brooches pictured below will be on the block.

This swan brooch by Verdura, estimated to achieve between $10,000 and $15,000, was commissioned by Bradford’s husband, Robert, to celebrate the success of her Cavendon series. There is a family named Swann in those books, and the animal also appeared on Bradford’s coat of arms.

Bradford once said in an interview: “”Bob was the love of my life and was the most generous and thoughtful person I’ve ever met. He was debonair, had a fabulous eye, and appreciated beautiful objects and exceptional craftsmanship. During our wonderful marriage, he simply could not resist buying me fine jewelry. And I was given a lot, as we were married for a long time! Every birthday, wedding anniversary, Christmas, new book publication, and even while on holiday, Bob would often surprise me with a fabulous piece.”

parrot brooch — *Parrot clip brooch in 18k gold with sapphires, diamonds, and rubies,* *estimate $2,000–$3,000*

Robert Bradford also gave his wife this parrot clip brooch, after the publication of her novel An Act of Will—which has a scene in a pet shop involving a parrot. Estimated to sell for up to $3,000, the circa 1960 brooch showcases 35 round sapphires, 17 round diamonds, and 17 round rubies, along with a striking cabochon ruby.

bird brooch — *Cockatrice brooch in 14k yellow and white gold with a baroque cultured pearl, diamonds, emeralds, and rubies,* *estimate $1,000–$1,500*

Known for her elegance and intellect, Barbara Taylor Bradford was particularly fond of this brooch of a cockatrice—a mythical creature with the body of a dragon and the head of a rooster—as she appreciated its symbolism of power and mystery. Estimated at $1,000 to $1,500, the pin incorporates a lustrous baroque pearl, is adorned with eight pear-shape emeralds, 45 diamonds, and a marquise-shape ruby.

The jewelry, along with other items from Bradford’s collection, will be on public display at Doyle New York beginning May 3. Online and telephone bidding will be available for the auction.

(Top photo by Les Wilson; jewelry photos courtesy of Doyle)

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