Late Victorian diamond necklace converting to a tiara – £16,000 at Roseberys London.
While still considered ostentatious in the West, the form is currently enjoying a renewed appreciation among ‘new money’ buyers. Sotheby’s estimates one third of the tiaras it has offered recently have sold to Far Eastern bidders.
The most desirable examples are the more petite models that can transform into a necklace, brooches, hair pins or bracelets. The example sold at Roseberys (above) for £16,000 (estimate £5000- 8000) on March 16 came complete with tools for detaching the floral clusters for alternative use. Dating from c.1890, it sold in its original fitted case to a buyer who outbid trade interest.
Two similar pieces are coming up for sale in the weeks ahead – one at Tennants, the other at Lawrences of Crewkerne.
