The property of the late Denisa, The Lady Newborough. Cartier: An impressive aquamarine and diamond pendant. Estimate £7,000 – £10,000. Photo Roseberys

LONDON.- A 22.47ct aquamarine Cartier pendant from the estate of the late Denisa Lady Newborough will highlight the 288 lot section of Fine Jewels, which comprise part of Roseberys Fine Art auction on Tuesday 30 June. 

A daring socialite of the 1920s, 30s, 40s, and seemingly of every decade until her death in 1992, Denisa Lady Newborough was described in her obituary in The Daily Telegraph as: “many things: wire-walker, nightclub girl, nude dancer, air pilot.” Originally from Romania, her obituary goes on to say, “her admirers included the Kings of Spain and Bulgaria, Adolf Hitler…Benito Mussolini…and Sheikh ben Ghana, who gave her 500 sheep. By conventional standards, her morality matched her flaming red hair but she remained as proud of one as the other." Her colourful life saw her travel extensively, and she claimed in her 1956 autobiography entitled “Fire in My Blood”, to have spoken 14 languages. 

A trail blazer for the modern day It girl, Lady Newborough attained her title through a short lived marriage to Thomas John Wynn, 5th Baron Newborough, who died in 1957. Lord Newborough is said to have initiated divorce proceedings less than 24 hours after their marriage, which took place the morning after a night spent playing cards in Monte Carlo. She later went on to become an antiques dealer, and ran a premises in Shepherd’s Market in the heart of London’s Mayfair. 

A number of items from her private collection are being offered in this sale, and are highlighted by the impressive 22.47ct aquamarine and diamond pendant. 

The stunning light blue stone is complimented by eight single stone diamonds, and comes complete with original red leather Cartier case. Lady Newborough was known to have accepted jewels as gifts from her many admirers, and this exceptional piece is estimated to sell for £7,000-10,000. [Lot 180] 

The property of the late Denisa, The Lady Newborough. Cartier: An impressive aquamarine and diamond pendant. Estimate £7,000 – £10,000. Photo Roseberys

the square step cut natural aquamarine approx 22.47ct, colour, very light blue, VVS1 clarity, the bale set with eight single cut diamonds, approx 0.12ct, colour E-F and VVS clarity, on fine white metal chain, approx 43cm long, in original Cartier red leather case, together with a report from International Gemological Reports. (2)

Provenance: The property of the late Denisa, The Lady Newborough, wife of Thomas John Wynn, 5th Baron Newborough and thence by decent.

A spectacular handmade diamond, yellow diamond and natural pearl butterfly brooch, en tremblant from the Victorian period, is one of a number of pieces in the sale from a private London collection. Like much of the jewellery from the early to mid Victorian period, the gold setting for the brooch has no makers mark, but the piece comes with a gemmological report stating that the old cut diamonds on the butterfly’s openwork wings are approx 5.30ct, colour G-H and VS clarity and the Fancy Light Yellow diamonds that form the butterfly’s body are approx 3.03ct and VS clarity. This unique and extremely desirable piece is estimated to sell for £5,000-7,000. [Lot 385] 

The property of the late Denisa, The Lady Newborough. A spectacular large diamond, yellow diamond and natural pearl butterfly en tremblant brooch. Estimate £5,000 – £7,000. Photo Roseberys

the openwork design wings encrusted with old cut diamonds, with three old cushion cut fancy yellow diamonds to the abdomen and ruby set eyes, approx 6cm x 6.5cm, together with a gem report stating the old cut diamonds approx 5.30ct, colour G-H and VS clarity, the Fancy Light Yellow diamonds approx 3.03ct and VS clarity. (2) 

From the same collection, an 18ct gold, platinum and diamond set bracelet by the American jeweller David Webb is a beautiful example of modern craftsmanship. A favourite with celebrities since the 1960s, Webb is known for his bold use of yellow gold and diamonds in the jewellery he creates, and the reeded navette shaped links, set at intervals with diamond clusters in this bracelet, are a stunning example of his work. Signed by Webb, the bracelet is approximately 17.5cm in the internal circumference and is estimated to sell for £5,000-8,000. [Lot 358].  

The property of the late Denisa, The Lady Newborough.  An 18ct gold, platinum and diamond set bracelet by David Webb. Estimate: £5,000-8,000. Photo Roseberys

reeded navette shaped links set at intervals with diamond clusters, signed Webb, approx 17.5cm internal circumference, approx 88.8g.

Note: For a similar example of this bracelet see Sotheby's New York 24th September 2012, lot 850

Also included in the sale, and from the same private London collection, is a virtually flawless emerald cut diamond halo ring. Set in an oblong platinum mount, with a border of round cut diamonds, the size JK ring comes in a Kuchinsky box. The beautifully cut diamond comes with a gemmology report stating the emerald cut diamond is approximately 2.50ct, colour D-E and VS clarity, and the round brilliant cut diamonds are approximately 1.40ct, colour F-G and VS clarity. This exquisite piece would make an extremely attractive gift, and is estimated to sell for £5,000-8,000. [Lot 391]  

The property of the late Denisa, The Lady Newborough.  A 2.50ct, colour D-E and VS clarity emerald cut diamond halo ring. Estimate: £5,000-8,000. Photo Roseberys

in oblong platinum mount (unmarked) with a border of round cut diamonds, approx size JK, in Kuchinsky box, together with a gem report stating the emerald cut diamond approx 2.50ct, colour D-E and VS clarity, the round brilliant cut diamonds approx 1.40ct, colour F-G and VS clarity. (2)

The Fine Jewels auction will be held as part of Roseberys Fine Art auction on Tuesday 30 June and is available to view from the afternoon of Friday 26 June to the morning of the auction at Roseberys London saleroom, 70/76 Knights Hill, SE27 0JD