There are many striking antique Jewels coming up for Auction this month, with Two Tiaras and four Brooches and Pendants from the collection of the late 3rd Countess of Stradbroke are on Auction at Christie’s in Geneva next week!

Inherited by Helena Violet Alice Fraser, later 3rd Countess of Stradbroke (1874 – 1949).

Thence by descent.

Due to the scarcity of fine coloured gems, it is extremely rare to encounter them today in their original antique settings; over the decades, so much has either been dispersed or remodelled in the latest fashion. The magnificent ruby jewels offered here are part of a wonderful jewellery collection inherited by Helena Violet Alice (née Fraser), Third Countess of Stradbroke (1874-1949).

At the Coronation of King Edward VII in 1902, there was a tremendous display of jewellery and the protocol governing the wearing of dress and decorations was strictly observed. Lady Stradbroke, in common with other ladies of the court, wore her jewels in great profusion and in the evocative portrait photograph of the countess dressed in her coronation robes she is wearing the superb ruby and diamond star brooch above the oval ruby and diamond cluster, with the regal ruby and diamond tiara completing the impression of glittering opulence.

Before her marriage, Miss Helena Fraser, is also depicted as Delilah at The Devonshire House Ball in 1897, hosted by the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire at Devonshire House on Piccadilly, to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. The fancy dress ball was attended by all the prominent figures of the day and provided the perfect occasion for a lavish display of jewellery and extravagant attire, as can be seen in the glamorous studio photograph of Miss Helena Fraser which shows her wearing the diamond palmette necklace, also offered here, as part of her costume.

Helena was largely brought up by her grandmother Eleanor Louisa de Falbe (1823-1899) at Luton Hoo, a British country estate not far from London. Eleanor had remarried later in life to the Danish Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Christian Frederick de Falbe (1828–1896), and during her tenure at Luton Hoo she entertained lavishly, developing a friendship with members of the British Royal Family. Her granddaughter, Helena, spent much of her childhood at Luton Hoo and when she married George Rous, The Third Earl of Stradbroke, in 1898, the staff of Luton Hoo presented the couple with a silver salver as a wedding present.

This splendid collection of nineteenth century jewellery, which Helena inherited from her grandmother Eleanor, represents the confidence and prosperity of the period as well as some of the best surviving examples of Victorian jewellery, incorporating gemstones of a size and quality seldom seen at the time outside of royal collections.

Fabergé Gem-Set and Enamel Letter Opener

Estimate: CHF 6,000 – CHF 8,000

A Splendid Casket of Ancestral Jewellery

A Fabergé early 20th century Gem-Set and Enamel Letter Opener of amaranth wood blade of slightly tapering form, the finial enamelled in red over a wavy guilloché ground, moonstone cabochon at the top, Moscow, 1907 – 1908, in the original Fabergé wooden case.

Inherited by Helena Violet Alice Fraser, later 3rd Countess of Stradbroke (1874 – 1949).

Thence by descent.

Diamond Flower Brooch

Estimate: CHF 35,000 – CHF 45,000

A Splendid Casket of Ancestral Jewellery

A late 19th century Diamond Flower Brooch with old, rose-cut and round diamonds, silver and gold, flowerhead detachable to wear as a pendant, circa 1880.

Antique Diamond Tiara/Necklace

Estimate: CHF 65,000 – CHF 120,000

A Splendid Casket of Ancestral Jewellery

An Antique Diamond and Colourless Gem Tiara/Necklace with pear-shaped and old-cut diamonds, rose-cut diamonds, the three main pear-shapes later replaced with colourless stones, silver and gold, palmette clusters detachable (brooch fitting deficient), circa 1870.

Before her marriage, Miss Helena Fraser, is also depicted as Delilah at The Devonshire House Ball in 1897, hosted by the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire at Devonshire House on Piccadilly, to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. The fancy dress ball was attended by all the prominent figures of the day and provided the perfect occasion for a lavish display of jewellery and extravagant attire, as can be seen in the glamorous studio photograph of Miss Helena Fraser which shows her wearing the diamond palmette necklace, also offered here, as part of her costume.

Pearl and Diamond Pendant/Brooch

Estimate: CHF 110,000 – CHF 160,000

A Splendid Casket of Ancestral Jewellery

A late 19th century Pearl and Diamond Pendant/Brooch with a button-shaped natural pearl, old and rose-cut diamonds, silver and gold, brooch fitting detachable, circa 1880.

Ruby and Diamond Tiara/Necklace

Estimate: CHF 280,000 – CHF 480,000

A Splendid Casket of Ancestral Jewellery

A fine late 19th century Ruby and Diamond Tiara/Necklace with an oval-shaped ruby of 4.02 carats, oval-shaped rubies, old-cut diamonds, silver and gold, back sections detachable for wear as a tiara, circa 1880.

At the Coronation of King Edward VII in 1902, there was a tremendous display of jewellery and the protocol governing the wearing of dress and decorations was strictly observed. Lady Stradbroke, in common with other ladies of the court, wore her jewels in great profusion and in the evocative portrait photograph of the countess dressed in her coronation robes she is wearing the superb ruby and diamond star brooch above the oval ruby and diamond cluster, with the regal ruby and diamond tiara completing the impression of glittering opulence.

Ruby and Diamond Pendant/Brooch

Estimate: CHF 160,000 – CHF 220,000

A Splendid Casket of Ancestral Jewellery

A late 19th century Ruby and Diamond Pendant/Brooch with a cushion-shaped ruby of 7.88 carats, old-cut diamonds, silver and gold, brooch fitting detachable, circa 1890.

Ruby and Diamond Star Pendant/Brooch

Estimate: CHF 1,100,000 – CHF 1,600,000

A Splendid Casket of Ancestral Jewellery

A superb late 19th century Ruby and Diamond Star Pendant/Brooch, with an oval-shaped ruby of 10.07 carats, old and rose-cut diamonds, silver and gold, brooch fitting detachable, circa 1880.

Sotheby’s Noble & Private Collections | 5 December 2024

Phillips Geneva Jewels | 11 November 2024

Christie’s Magnificent Jewels | 12 November 2024

Sotheby’s Royal & Noble Jewels | 13 November 2024

Sotheby’s Important Jewels | 16 November 2024

Christie’s Jewels | 20 November 2024

Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara

Vladimir Tiara

Queen Alexandra’s Kokoshnik Tiara

Belgian Sapphire Tiara

Burmese Ruby Tiara

Brazilian Aquamarine Tiara

Queen Mary’s Fringe Tiara

Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara

Queen Victoria’s Oriental Circlet Tiara