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" I look 100 and weigh 110 - you won't love me when you see the wreck England has made of me." Wallis Simpson |
'Hark the herald angels sing, Mrs Simpson pinched our King!' Playgrounds in 1936 rang out with this children's rhyme as the American divorcee (twice over) managed to do what it took Oliver Cromwell a rampaging army to achieve: dislodge the King. The story began over afternoon tea at the Ritz in London when Wallis Simpson's best friend said that she was going out of town for the weekend and would she look after her beau, Prince Edward? The rest as they say is history with Edward unable to bear the weight of the crown without Wallis by his side and the British Government unwilling to accept a divorcee as Queen.
The couple spent the rest of their lives in exile, trading jewellery as the rest of us would exchange greetings cards. No event it seemed was to small to warrant a little trinket from Cartier accompanied by an engraved message.
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| Cartier Emerald ruby and diamond brooch with entwined initials |
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| Cartier flamingo brooch, bought just before they fled their home in France in 1940 . |
Cartier cigarette case mapped with three trips that Wallis and Edward took together.
The grand title of today's auction at Sotheby's is:
"The Auction of Exceptional Jewels and Precious Objects Formerly in the Collection of the Duchess of Windsor "
or
"Loot"
They inscribed the pieces that they gave it each other - this has more resonance for me than any precious stones. This cigarette case is the only item that really sparks my interest ( Belle de Ville had something similar for sale recently that intrigued me and stayed in my mind)
Frankly, had I been the thin white Duchess with such an avaricious appetite for jewels I would have made sure that every last piece would have been buried with me so that in years to come when archaeologists dug me up I would dazzle them as did Tutenkamun in his Disco Years.*
* a lesser known period in his life know only to hierophants.
Thin white Duchess? :-)
ReplyDeleteI have never been one for jewelry (though my own princess likes it all fine enough) Watches are another story though as they have a true purpose (or is that Porpoise in regard to Seamasters and Submariners?).... Your works are soooo much fun to read T.! Good morning (on your side of the planet).
"Disco Years" , Gracie? You are a joy to read first thing in the morning. Please never stop.
ReplyDeleteYes! What James said! :)
ReplyDeleteHEART OVER HEAD Aside from the bling, I think this story still fascinates on so many levels because it's a real combination of the public and private, personal and national that did shape the course of history, particularly around WWII. Perhaps it was also the start of some Americans fascination with the royal family and their weddings, which I always find a bit ironic given the Revolution. Should you acquire such a fabulous ciggy case, even just as accessory, you'll have to book another hols stat to go with, perhaps post Paris, the south of France...
ReplyDeleteBTW Did you see that Madge is directing a film about Wallace "WE," news to me. And my fave headline about this whole scandal-tinged sale, Idependent's "God Save the Bling."
ReplyDeleteScaley: A reference for me, you and LBF!
ReplyDeleteThe Zhush: And to you too.
James: I'm your Daily Bugle!
Get Fresh: Oh what with all this snow, I so can't bothered with Paris, I'd rather stay home right now, oh but after this it will be LA LA land next year, yippee! Oh and yes I saw that yesterday about Madonna directing a film about WS - God Save The Bling - love it!
Excellent. Forget about the bling. I love the Duke's two-toned loafers! Or, is that a kind of bling as well, for sartorial-minded guys? I got the DB reference. Also, the one about a certain Steve Martin song in late 1970s (I think!). Good God... ;)
ReplyDeleteCan't be mithered with Paree due to the white stuff, that does make the Canadian travel maven in me cringe just a tinge T ;-D For us crossing the pond is still a "long," costly, security-encumbered, and time-changed journey. How I would adore to have it as a weekend TGV jaunt instead.
ReplyDeleteHave you read Laurie Graham's book about the Windsor's ?
ReplyDeleteIt's very good....I highly recommend it.
The gems do look lovely...it would be fun to have a few of those trinkets :)
Wallis Simpson has always grated on me, not sure why. I think it's her smile: so cat got the canary.
ReplyDeleteFabulous jewels though, oh my. I've never been into jewels except for cheap-a** costume baubles from JCrew, but then MrBP doesn't have the King's pocket book either.
And I confess, your sale pick and final lines of day gave me a completely different, non-Cartier, bangles theme tune > "And the bazaar man by the Nile, he got the money on a bet, gold crocodiles (way-oh-way-oh), they snap their teeth on a cigarette..."
ReplyDeleteGF: I know I sound like a brat but we've had three holidays this year, I'd rather hunker down, stay home, drink champagne and watch the snow fall. But no, planes trains and automobiles here we come.
ReplyDeleteDani : me neither, I have some lovely diamonds but I don't think they're me, at least I don't like the way I feel when I wear flashy jewellery.
LBF: I knew you'd hone on on the loafers!
Without great patrons, much of the great art throughout history wouldn't have been created and the Windsors were great patrons of art with their commissions for pieces from Cartier et. al.
ReplyDeleteOne may or may not wear or acquire or appreciate jewelry but one can't deny that fine hand made jewelry is a truly a work of art, albeit art with intrinsic value.
Still, the whole Sotheby's show amuses me...it is begining to feel like the Windsor jewelry is coming up for auction every decade or so. There is a lack of freshness, unlike with the huge Harry Winston pink diamond that just sold in Geneva which had been hidden away for 60 years.
Thanks Tabitha for the shout out. Even with seeing literally thousands of jewelry items, I'm in awe of that 1940s cigarette case.
Personal items like these usually have fascinating stories that tie them to a special day or event. I'd love to know what the pieces meant to the purchaser and wearer. I have my late Uncle's leather cigarette case, which BTW makes a great wallet for an evening bag, and it is the only thing of his that I have. I never really knew him, but I chose to keep that item as a reminder of him. Sadly those cigarettes ultimately lead to his demise.
ReplyDeletePanther went for 4.5m GPD. Way over 1.5m est.
ReplyDeleteJohn - you shouldn't have!
ReplyDeleteJulie : oh that's so bittersweet, I agree I love knowing the tales behind these pieces.
I think Madonna outbid me
ReplyDeleteOne has to admit this couple were a glam pair.
ReplyDeleteLoving their choice of shoes in this photo.
xx
LBF - The Duke's yellow gingham shirt and matching bias-cut tie is pretty blinging too.
ReplyDelete