Just in time for the May 6 coronation of Charles III, London’s oldest family-run jeweler Hancocks London is offering a one-of-a-kind piece with a royal connection: the emerald and diamond en tremblant dragonfly brooch by Garrard.
The brooch was commissioned by the fifth countess of Rosse, Frances Lois Parsons, to wear to the 1911 coronation of King George V and Queen Mary (Charles’ great-grandparents). “The dragonfly brooch flew in the face of traditional formal jewelry at the time,” said Hancocks London’s managing director, Guy Burton, in a statement. “To have a new jewel commissioned for such an occasion, particularly one of this size and design, was unusual and would certainly have made a significant impact and a real statement.”
Originally crafted from a pair of briolette emerald drop earrings, the brooch was designed so the briolettes could be detached and repurposed as earrings.
It is available in its original box and comes with a handwritten note: “This brooch was made out of the earrings of the antique emerald and diamond parure of the Rosse family – by Lois Lady Rosse for the 1911 Coronation, & also some extra diamonds were added in. (designed by her father Sir Cecil Lister Kaye) To be entailed with the family emeralds.”
“We are honored to be offering this remarkable jewel for sale,” Burton said. “Wouldn’t it be wonderful for it to be snapped up and worn by one of the 1,000 guests at the Westminster Abbey ceremony on May 6? It would be back in its familiar surroundings and in extremely good company.”
Top: En tremblant dragonfly brooch in 18k gold and silver with approximately 25 cts. t.w. briolette emeralds, approximately 2 cts. t.w. faceted round emeralds, and approximately 12 cts. t.w. old-cut diamonds, $440,000 (£350,000); Hancocks London
(Photos courtesy of Hancocks London)
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