Fellows Auctioneers sold a sapphire and emerald ring from the private collection of Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon.
Made up of marquise-cut sapphire petals which encircled a cabochon emerald, the ring resembled a blue and green flower.
Princess Margaret’s connection to the ring was indisputable. The ring was inscribed and sold with plentiful supporting documentation. This was not the first time the ring had been sold at auction: it featured in an auction of her jewellery held at Christie’s in June 2006.
The Princess’s royal cypher was engraved on the inside of the band. Further personalisation could be found in the green leather case that accompanied the ring. On the silk lining, the name ‘Dolly’ was handwritten. Dolly refers to Prince Adolphus of Teck, 1st Marquess of Cambridge. Due to his extensive nine Christian names, he was nicknamed ‘Dolly’ by his immediate family, a pet form of Adolphus.
The ring was sold with a certificate of provenance as well as a copy of correspondence between Lord Glenconner and Princess Margaret. The provenance documents also included a letter to the original purchaser from Lord Glenconner and a copy of the Christie’s auction catalogue.
Given this provenance and royal connection, it is unsurprising that the ring received significant attention before the auction and during viewings in London and Birmingham. During the auction itself, multiple parties were bidding over various channels from all over the world. Despite the pre-auction commission bids placed and telephone lines reserved, the ultimate winner participated online via the auction house’s platform, Fellows Live.
Bidders went head-to-head until the hammer fell at £5,200.
Paul Greer, Fellows’ International Head of Jewellery, said of the sale: “We are delighted that bidding was strong in today’s Fine Jewellery auction for the Princess Margaret emerald and sapphire ring. After a few hectic minutes of spirited bidding, the piece achieved an impressive hammer price of £5,200, finding a new home with a discerning collector. With its delicate craftsmanship and fascinating provenance linked to Her Royal Highness, this exceptional piece captured the imagination of all who viewed it. Accompanied by remarkable documentation, it stands as a testament to the enduring allure of royal history and fine jewellery.”
The result is a fitting highlight for Fellows’ final Fine Jewellery auction of 2024. The auctioneer is now inviting consignments for its January jewellery auction schedule.
