Lot 78. An enamel and diamond-set 'Moon crater' necklace by Roy C. King Ltd. Estimate GBP 5,000 - GBP 7,000 (USD 6,640 - USD 9,296). © Christie's Images Ltd 2017

The textured tapering panel collar set at intervals with circular-cut diamonds against an abstract enamel ground of varying blue hues, 1960s, 39.5cm, in case by Garrard & Co. Designed by Roger King, made by Roy C. King Ltd. for Garrard & Co.

Note: Born in 1913, in 1927 Roy King was apprenticed to a diamond mounting firm, M J Greengross in Hatton Garden; in the evenings he attended Sir John Cass Art School. During the Second World War he worked as a planning engineer on the production line of Hurricane fighter planes. The skills and techniques he used would subsequently be transferred to jewellery and watch manufacture when he set up his own workshop in Watford after the war. In 1965 the workshop would become a factory and his focus would be more on watches than jewellery; in 1973 he bought the Swiss watch company La Montre Royale de Geneve. In 1974 he had a one man show at the Goldsmith’s hall and in the 1980s opened a shop in Mayfair. Roy King died in 2000.

Roy King’s son Roger (born 1936) joined his father’s business in 1953 and designed jewellery including the ‘Moon Crater’ series. He would later diversify into other business interests. 

Literature: Cf. Graham Hughes, Modern Jewelry, Studio Books, London, 1963, pl. 137, p. 87, for an image of the necklace with the matching bracelet and earrings

The 'Moon Crater' bracelet and earrings of the same design were featured in the 1961 “International Exhibition of Modern Jewellery 1890-1961” at Goldsmiths Hall and at the Victoria and Albert Museum. They were designed by Roger King, made by Roy C. King Ltd. for Garrard & Co., and were awarded 1st prize at the 1961 De Beers Modern British Jewellery Competition at Goldsmiths Hall.

By Roger King for Garrard, London, prize winner in the De Beers British jewellery competition (bracelet and Earrings), 1961. Image courtesy of The Goldsmith’s Company.

Christie's. Important Jewels, 29 November 2017, London