Duchess of Windsor Jewellery


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Wallis was very 'a la page'. and the unusual combination of stones is very characteristic of 'cutting edge' jewels in this period.
Early 'Art Deco' jewels were mostly 'white' [diamond] or at least monochromatic [Diamond and onyx or diamond and one coloured stone]. Only in the late thirties did Jewellers [Cartier principally] launch more adventurous and colourful designs, and the Duchess was pivotal to popularising this style [which continued after the interruption of the War, well into the 50s].
 
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Another beautiful piece. Thank you for the link. I went to the Cartier exhibition in April in Canberra and they had many of Wallis's jewels on display and I don't remember seeing this lovely piece.
The Duchess was lucky enough to have so many wonderful pieces.
 
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I'm not sure I do.
The emerald is absolutely breathtaking but I dislike how its set: a piece like that should not only be the centrepiece, it should be the only one. I also rather dislike the clash of gold and emerald; perhaps if they used platinum, it would have a more winning look.

It is actually not the original setting. The orginial one was a more plain platinum setting as per the time - but I haven't been able to find a picture. The Duchess later changed the setting to a more "up to date" (by this time) gold and diamond setting.
 
What became of the Duchess of Windsor's Cartier amethyst and turquoise torsade bracelet?
 
Countessmeout, Thank you for the informative video. I am surprised that someone from the British Royal Family did not purchase Edward's cufflinks and cigarette boxes. They have significant royal heritage.
 
I'm not a fan of mid-century big jewels. I like Deco, but the next 30 years were sorry indeed. I dislike the big gold claw settings on cabochon gems, and the mixing of different colored stones, except for well-designed brooches. The mix of amethyst and turquoise is like sapphire and turquoise -- not attractive.
 
A video about the jewels and the 1987 sale, before and after.
 
Wallis certainly enjoyed having statement pieces in her collection! I like Deco and unusual designs, such as panthers, leopards and various birds in jewellery, also am a fan of coloured gems rather than diamonds. However, this collection epitomised the Duchess herself I think, a bit flashy a little OTT, not much delicacy in the overall finish in the end.
 
The pearls given by Queen Mary and the big Olga Tritt pearls were so lovely, it ended up on Anne Klein but she too sold them off.
 
High jewelry from the collection of Wallis, Duchess of Windsor
 
When Wallis was at a party in New York wearing a necklace, the Maharani of Baroda, Sita Devi commented that the necklace looked just as good as it did on her feet. Sita Devi was the previous owner of the jewels but they used to anklets and Harry Winston made the stones in a necklace for Wallis who bought it. Wallis was so stunned that she immediately returned the jewels back
 

This necklace is nothing short of fabulous!
 
Lovely to see this thread revived. I just drool over her jewellery collection. Wish we had the opportunity to see individual pieces being worn in public instead of being tucked away in private collections.
 
What happened to the Duchess of Windsor's jewelry? Who inherited them?
 
I believe they were sold at auction. Funds went to a charity ( I think )
 
I have read that Lord Mountbatten went over to Paris to see the Duchess (who was by then very frail) several times in the last years of her life. Somehow, though, the question of her will kept being introduced and the subject of who she intended to leave her jewels and money to was repeated.

He, it seemed, wanted her to leave some of her jewellery and money to members of the Royal Family. Mountbatten was so persistent that the Duchess became very upset and finally her lawyer told Lord Mountbatten not to visit again. I don't believe in fact that she left anything to her late husband’s relatives.
 
A quick search on the net throws up various accounts of the original Sotheby’s auction of the major pieces in 1987. The catalogue ( many pics from which can still be viewed online) was memorable in terms of the uniqueness and beauty of individual pieces.

Since then, some items have reappeared in auctions- again it’s easy to find reports on the net and the eye watering amounts they have sold for.
There’s also a story that circulated relatively recently suggesting a major theft of the Duchess’s jewellery might have been faked to raise funds.
As Curryong has said previously, it seems nothing was bequeathed to the main line of the family, although I recall reading that Princess Michael of Kent received a couple of items as gifts from the Duchess before she died.

A couple of interesting articles regarding the jewellery collection
 
A look at the late Duchess of Windsors Cartier Flamingo Brooch
I can't say I'm a fan but look at what it sold for at Sotheby’s in London in 2011- £1,721,250
Duchess of Windsor’s Cartier Flamingo Brooch
Most of her jewellery consisted of very distinctive pieces rather than anything understated. Some of it I like , but I agree the flamingo brooch isn’t my taste either. I do like the panther bracelet , but you have to be able to carry such pieces off. I never thought the Duchess really did.
 
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