Thursday 13 April 2017

The Cartier Flamingo Brooch




This stunning piece is a reproduction of Cartier's famous flamingo brooch. The original was a gift given to Wallis Simpson by her husband the Duke of Windsor. This reproduction piece is of fantastic quality and features approximately 3ct of diamonds across the birds' legs and body. With a combination of blue and yellow sapphires, emeralds and rubies for the feathers, the burst of colour is enticing!

Click here for more information on our brooch for sale


Wallis Simpson loved socializing, and it was at a party that she became acquainted with Edward, Prince of Wales in 1931. From there, the Prince and Wallis Simpson grew close, which led to outrage from his British family as Wallis was seen as a woman of loose morals, due to her several marriages and overly confident behaviour. She was also seen as a seductress who had tempted the heir to the throne away from his duties.

In January 1936, King George V (Edward's father) passed away, making Edward King of England.
Later that year, Edward renounced the throne to continue his relationship with Wallis Simpson, and they married in 1937.





The piece in question was commissioned in 1940 by the Duke of Windsor. The elegant bird was soon given to Wallis Simpson, and the Cartier archives reveal that the duchess reused gems from a necklace and four bracelets in her collection in order to have the flamingo made. The piece was eventually sold at a Sotheby's auction in 2010 for £1,721,250 against an estimate of £1.5m!





Sources:

http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2012/02/costumes-we-wallis-simpson-duchess-windsor-sketch-to-still

https://www.gemselect.com/other-info/the-jewels-of-wallis-simpson-duchess-of-windsor.php