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Royal Focus: The Duchess of Windsor's Jewels

circa 1936:  Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor (1896 - 1986), wearing her Cartier emerald engagement ring and a sapphire and diamond bracelet.  (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) When the Duchess of Windsor's jewels were auctioned off by Sotheby's in Geneva in 1987 the two-day sale raised a record $50,281.887, seven times the Sotheby's presale estimate. At the request of the late-Duchess, the money raised went towards the Pasteur Institute, the medical research centre in Paris.
On November 30th, some of the jewels will again be auctioned by Sotheby's.

These jewels were more than just beautiful craftsmanship, they are priceless symbols of love.


LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 22: A Sotheby's employee holds up a diamond bracelet created by Cartier in 1935, during a preview at Sotheby's Auction House on July 22, 2010 in London, England. This piece of jewellery is one of a collection going on sale including a selection of iconic jewels belonging to the Duchess of Windsor. The pieces are estimated to fetch in the region of 3 million GBP at the sale, which takes place at Sothebys Auction house on November 30, 2010 in London. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)This Diamond Cartier bracelet, circa 1935 was designed as a single row of spectacle-set brilliant-cut diamonds, supporting nine gem-set Latin crosses made from Platinum, Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Ruby, Baguette Diamond, Emerald, Amethyst, Aquamarine, and the marriage cross,comprised of Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald. Each cross, inscribed with affectionate phrases, marked special or significant events in the couple's relationship, including their wedding, a birthday, an assassination attempt on King Edward VIII, and the Duchess' appendectomy surgery in 1944,  This jewel was worn at their wedding in 1937.



LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 22: A Sotheby's employee holds an emerald, ruby and diamond broach created by Cartier in 1957, during a preview at Sotheby's Auction House on July 22, 2010 in London, England. This piece of jewellery is one of a collection going on sale including a selection of iconic jewels belonging to the Duchess of Windsor. The pieces are estimated to fetch in the region of 3 million GBP at the sale, which takes place at Sothebys Auction house on November 30, 2010 in London. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) This Emerald, Ruby and Diamond brooch was made by Cartier in 1957. The brooch is heart-shaped and is pave-set with circular-cut-diamonds, surmounted by a gold and calibre-cut ruby crown. At the center of the heart, the initials W.E. are marked in emeralds. Just below the initials, are the roman numerals XX in rubies.  This brooch was made to commemorate the Duke and Duchess of Windsor's twentieth wedding anniversary.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 22: A Sotheby's employee holds a ruby, saphire, emerald and diamond clip mounted by Cartier in 1940, during a preview at Sotheby's Auction House on July 22, 2010 in London, England. This piece of jewellery is one of a collection going on sale including a selection of iconic jewels belonging to the Duchess of Windsor. The pieces are estimated to fetch in the region of 3 million GBP at the sale, which takes place at Sothebys Auction house on November 30, 2010 in London. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
This Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Citrine and Diamond clip was mounted by Cartier in 1940. Created by Jeanne Troussaint for Cartier it was made by breaking up a necklace and four bracelets in the Duke's collection. Designed as a flamingo, the plumage is set with emeralds, rubies, and sapphires. The beak is set with a cabochon citrine and the head, neck, body and legs with brilliant-cut diamonds. The Duke reportedly gave the Duchess this clip as a birthday gift on June 19, 1940.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 22: A Sotheby's employee holds an onyx and diamond panther bracelet designed and made by Cartier in 1952, during a preview at Sotheby's Auction House on July 22, 2010 in London, England. This piece of jewellery is one of a collection going on sale including a selection of iconic jewels belonging to the Duchess of Windsor. The pieces are estimated to fetch in the region of 3 million GBP at the sale, which takes place at Sothebys Auction house on November 30, 2010 in London. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)


The Duchess of Windsor had a fascination with animals and it is no surprise that this fondness was expressed through her jewels. This item is one of several panther jewels in her collection. The Cartier 'Great Cat' Jewels were inspired by Jeanne Toussaint for Cartier, this Onyx and Diamond panther bracelet was made in 1952 and is designed to encircle the wrist, assuming a stalking attitude. It is pave-set with circular-cut diamonds and calibre-cut-onyx, and the eyes are set with marquise-shaped emeralds.

© Marilyn Braun 2010

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