The Poltimore Tiara and heirlooms given by Queen Mary were among the ‘Collection of H.R.H The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon’ auctioned at Christie’s in London on this day in 2006, 20 years ago!
Jewellery and Faberge from the Collection of H.R.H The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon | 13 June 2006
‘Jewellery and Fabergé from the Collection of H.R.H. The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon’ was an historic, record-breaking auction held by Christie’s on June 13 and 14, 2006.The two-day sale dispersed over 800 items from her private estate at Kensington Palace. The auction achieved unprecedented interest, selling 100% of its lots and generating a staggering £13,658,728 ($25,104,742), significantly exceeding all pre-sale estimates.
Following the Princess’s death in 2002, her children decided to sell a significant portion of her personal collection at auction. The highly publicized event allowed collectors and royal admirers worldwide to acquire items deeply connected to her life, style, and reign as one of the most glamorous royals of the 20th century. Individual pieces from this iconic collection occasionally reappear at specialty auctions and vintage sales.
Antique Diamond Rose Of York Brooch
Estimate: GBP 6,000 – 8,000 | Price Realised: GBP 42,000
Belle Epoque Diamond And Gem-Set Target Brooch
Estimate: GBP 2,000 – 3,000 | Price Realised: GBP 21,600
Art Deco Sapphire And Diamond Bow Brooch
Estimate: GBP 3,000 – 4,000 | Price Realised: GBP 40,800
Aquamarine And Diamond Brooch, By Cartier
Estimate: GBP 2,500 – 3,500 | Price Realised: GBP 66,000
Antique Garnet And Seed Pearl Brooch
Estimate: GBP 500 – 700 | Price Realised: GBP 9,600
Antique Garnet Demi-Parure
Estimate: GBP 1,500 – 2,000 | Price Realised: GBP 16,800
Ruby And Diamond Earpendants
Estimate: GBP 5,000 – 7,000 | Price Realised: GBP 54,000
Antique Diamond Spray Brooch
Estimate: GBP 8,000 – 12,000 | Price Realised: GBP 26,400
Antique Pink Topaz And Diamond Pendent Brooch
Estimate: GBP 3,000 – 5,000 | Price Realised: GBP 50,400
Antique Diamond Feather Brooch
Estimate: GBP 4,500 – 5,500 | Price Realised: GBP 26,400
Antique Turquoise And Diamond Bow Brooch
Estimate: GBP 6,000 – 8,000 | Price Realised: GBP 24,000
Ruby And Diamond Flower Earclips
Estimate: GBP 6,000 – 8,000 | Price Realised: GBP 66,000
Ruby And Diamond Flower Brooch, By Cartier
Estimate: GBP 10,000 – 15,000 | Price Realised: GBP 108,000
Art Deco Pearl And Diamond Necklace
Estimate: GBP 15,000 – 20,000 | Price Realised: GBP 276,800
Art Deco Sapphire And Diamond Brooch
Estimate: GBP 1,500 – 2,000 | Price Realised: GBP 66,000
Antique Diamond Spray Earclips
Estimate: GBP 1,500 – 2,000 | Price Realised: GBP 21,600
Diamond, Pearl And Gem-Set Bracelet
Estimate: GBP 4,000 – 6,000 | Price Realised: GBP 67,200
Antique Sapphire And Diamond Brooch/Clasp
Estimate: GBP 8,000 – 12,000 | Price Realised: GBP 26,400
Antique Diamond And Enamel Bracelet
Estimate: GBP 6,000 – 8,000 | Price Realised: GBP 48,000
George III Diamond Maltese Cross
Estimate: GBP 5,000 – 7,000 | Price Realised: GBP 38,400
George III Diamond Buckle-Brooch
Estimate: GBP 1,500 – 2,000 | Price Realised: GBP 19,200
Antique Diamond Pendant
Estimate: GBP 8,000 – 10,000 | Price Realised: GBP 31,200
Antique Diamond Bracelet
Estimate: GBP 8,000 – 12,000 | Price Realised: GBP 66,000
Diamond Rose Brooch, By Cartier
Estimate: GBP 15,000 – 20,000 | Price Realised: GBP 153,600
Diamond Earrings
Estimate: GBP 8,000 – 12,000 | Price Realised: GBP 148,000
Queen Mary’s Diamond Riviere
Estimate: GBP 200,000 – 300,000 | Price Realised: GBP 993,600
The ‘Poltimore Tiara’
Estimate: GBP 150,000 – 200,000 | Price Realised: GBP 926,400
The Poltimore Tiara headlined the sale and fetching GBP 926,400, many times over the estimated GBP 150,000 – GBP 200,000. The Tiara was purchased by a ‘private Asian buyer’ and has not been seen since.
This famous piece of royal history made the headlines a second time in 2006 when it went on display at Christie’s London. Part of a collection of 800 of Princess Margaret’s jewels that were set to be auctioned by Christie’s, the tiara achieved the second-highest price of the night, selling for £926,400, almost five times its high estimate, to an anonymous buyer. Disappearing from the public eye as quickly as it arrived, its current whereabouts is unknown.
