Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Wallis Simpson's jewels sell big at London auction - Associated Press

LONDON (AP) — A set of jewels once owned by American socialite Wallis Simpson — the woman who wooed King Edward VIII from the British throne — fetched nearly 8 million pounds ($12.5 million) at auction late Tuesday.

Sotheby's said it sold the entire complement of 20 brooches, bracelets and other gems, highlights of which included an onyx and diamond Cartier bracelet in the shape of a panther; a jewel-encrusted flamingo clip and a heart-shaped brooch with the initials W.E. — Wallis and Edward — commissioned for the couple's 20th wedding anniversary.

The dramatic, emerald-eyed panther bracelet was the star of the sale, despite a few missing stones. Sotheby's said it sold for 4.5 million pounds, the highest price it'd ever received for a bracelet at auction.

All the jewels once belonged to Simpson and Edward, who abdicated to marry the twice-divorced 40-year-old in 1937.

Get the full story at:

Wallis Simpson's jewels sell big at London auction

No comments:

Post a Comment