There are many spectacular Royal and Noble Jewels on Auction this autumn, and we are continuing by looking over the spectacular Jewels from an important American Collection one Auction at the Christie’s Magnificent Jewels Sale in New York City this week!
Christie’s Magnificent Jewels | 6 December 2023
Chaumet Art Deco Diamond Tiara
Estimate: USD 50,000 – USD 70,000
Property from the Collection of Margaret Thompson Biddle
A Chaumet Art Deco Diamond Tiara, of old-cut diamonds set in platinum, circa 1930, from the Heiress Margaret Thompson Biddle, who was married to the American Ambassador to Poland at the start of the Second World War.
Margaret Thompson Biddle was born in Helena, Montana in 1896. She was the daughter of notable copper miner and financier, William Boyce Thompson.
Margaret’s father was born and raised around mining in Montana, so it was no surprise that he went on to make a name for himself in the copper mining industry. He attended the prestigious Philips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire, and Columbia University. After retiring from the New York Stock Exchange around 1915, Thompson’s interests returned back to mining where he founded the Newmont Mining Corporation.
Margaret Thompson married Anthony Drexel Biddle Jr. in 1931. That year he was also appointed the Minister to Norway by President Roosevelt, and then Ambassador to Poland 1937. This role led Biddle and his family all over the world. After fleeing Poland in 1939, they landed in England for one of Anthony’s commissions. In this position, he worked with the governments-in-exile of Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland and Yugoslavia. Biddle held numerous ambassador positions in the years that followed before re-enlisting in the army in 1944.
Margaret relocated to France after she and Anthony separated at the end of World War II. She had a home on the French Riviera, and a spectacular hotel particulier on the notable boulevard St. Germain in Paris. Not only was she a writer and author of The Women of England, Margaret was also known to be quite the hostess and socialite. One could find the Eisenhowers, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, and many other notable French creatives at her soirees.
In addition to having a wonderful jewelry collection, Margaret was an avid collector of fine porcelain, silver, home furnishings and art by the most distinguished artists and makers. She gifted a 1,575 piece dinnerware service to former First Lady Eisenhower. Select pieces of the ‘Vermeil’ collection are still on display at The White House present day.
Christie’s is delighted to offer the following six lots from Mrs. Biddle’s collection. Her keen eye for design is evident from the delicate Chaumet Art Deco tiara (Lot 152) to the significant Cartier carved emerald brooch (Lot 157). Spanning multiple decades of jewelry craftsmanship, this assemblage illustrates Mrs. Biddle’s exquisite taste.
Cartier Pearl and Diamond Earrings
Estimate: USD 30,000 – USD 50,000
Property from the Collection of Margaret Thompson Biddle
A pair of Natural Pearl and Diamond Earrings Mounted By Cartier, composed of white and dark gray button-shaped natural pearls, round, old, baguette and rose-cut diamonds, circa 1950, signed Monture Cartier.
Cartier Multi-Gem and Diamond Dragon Bracelet
Estimate: USD 60,000 – USD 80,000
Property from the Collection of Margaret Thompson Biddle
A Cartier Multi-Gem and Diamond Dragon Bracelet of baroque pearls, round rubies and emeralds, round, single and baguette-cut diamonds, circa 1950, signed Monture Cartier.
Cartier Emerald and Ruby Earrings
Estimate: USD 20,000 – USD 30,000
Property from the Collection of Margaret Thompson Biddle
A pair of Cartier Emerald and Ruby Earrings, of carved emeralds, round rubies in yellow gold, circa 1950, signed Cartier Londres.
Cartier Emerald, Diamond and Ruby Brooch
Estimate: USD 200,000 – USD 300,000
Property from the Collection of Margaret Thompson Biddle
An Important Cartier Emerald, Diamond and Ruby Brooch, composed with carved and baguette-cut emeralds, pear-shaped and round cabochon rubies, and old, single and round diamonds, circa 1945, signed Cartier London.
