Lot 207, An Art Deco diamond bandeau tiara, circa 1920. Estimate £9,000 - £12,000 ($16,830 - $22,440). Price Realized £17,925 ($33,520). Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2004.

Designed as an openwork diamond band, the articulated panels centring on six daisy motifs, with tiara frame and brooch fitting, convertible into a choker, a longer and shorter bracelet, and a brooch, circa 1920, choker 32.8 cm long, bracelets 17.5 and 15.2 cm long, brooch 3.6 cm across, in original Carrington & Co Ltd red leather fitted case. 

Provenance: Lady Margaret Leighton (1870-1950) and thence by family descent 

Notes: Lady Margaret is pictured here with her husband, Sir Bryan Leighton, 9th Baronet, on the the occasion of being summoned to court on 6th March 1914.

By family tradition, this tiara was originally designed in the late nineteenth century as a much larger and more imposing pearl and diamond ornament. It was composed of several large daisy motifs as a compliment to the name Margaret (Marguerite) and particularly to her family nickname 'Daisy'. This first tiara was then redesigned circa 1920, as the present jewel, retaining the original and pertinent daisy motif.

CHRISTIE'S. IMPORTANT JEWELLERY, 24 November 2004, London, King Street