An elegant platinum and diamond brooch, Cartier, France. Photo Sotheby's

Suspending an articulated pendant of geometric design, the top centered by an antique cushion-cut diamond weighing approximately 5.30 carats, the top and fringes accented by five pear-shaped diamonds weighing approximately 6.50 carats, further set with numerous old mine and single-cut diamonds weighing approximately 22.00 carats, signed Cartier, Made in France, numbered 5904C; circa 1925. Estimation 300,000 — 500,000 USD

For a shoulder brooch and sautoir of similar design, please see Cartier: 1930-1939 by Judy Rudoe, pages 274-275.

Virginia Holben Rogers was born in rural Illinois in 1911 and after attending Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, courageously moved to Chicago during the depths of the Great Depression. Virginia soon met and married Ward C Rogers, and after his death in 1977, headed the company that he founded; Rogers Radio Communication Services, Inc. The communication and paging company prospered under her leadership, ushering in the early phases of the emerging cellphone business. Her intellect, charm and drive endeared her to customers and business peers alike, with whom she frequently shared the philosophy “A deal is a good deal only when it is good for all concerned”. She sold the business to Metromedia, Inc in 1982 and began the more philanthropic phase of her life.

Ginny, as her friends called her, was an early pioneer of The Committee of 200, a group of prominent businesswomen devoted to fostering opportunities of women in business. She was also extensively involved in many arts, education, handicapped rehabilitation and children’s needs charities in the Chicago area until her death at age 101.

The proceeds from the sale of this brooch will benefit eight prominent charities in Illinois.

Sotheby's. Magnificent Jewels.New York | 11 déc. 2013 - www.sothebys.com