They came for sale by descent in the Courtauld family.
Sir Stephen (1883-1967), a member of the Courtauld textile family, and his wife Virginia (1883-1973) took a 99-year lease from the Crown on Eltham in 1933. The house, including a 15th century great hall built during the reign of Edward IV was in a dilapidated state, but architects Seely & Paget were appointed to oversee the restoration and add a now famous contemporary house in the Art Deco style.
The design of these brooches, which were commissioned from Cartier in London for Lady Courtauld in December 1934 and presented to her by Sir Stephen in 1937, follow motifs used by the artist George Kruger Gray in the stained-glass windows in the great hall.
Based around Edward IV cyphers, one in diamonds, pink tourmaline and sapphires features a falcon in a fetterlock surround. The other, set with diamonds, sapphires, tourmalines and citrines, is designed as the White Rose of York on the starburst of Richard II, known as the ‘rose en soleil’.
These are historical rather than overtly wearable pieces but, fully meriting an estimate of £15,000-20,000, hammered at £19,000.
