In 1980 a fabulous collection of jewels were sold from the estate of Lady Lydia Deterding. The sale included numerous signed pieces by Cartier and three major jewels of Russian imperial origin. She was born in Tashkent, Russia, and at the age of 16 married a Russian diplomat, General Bagratouni. In 1924 Lady Lydia was married to Sir Henri Deterding who owed his wealth to the oil industry. They divorced in 1936 and Lady Lydia spent the rest of her life enjoying the social whirl in Paris and her enormous jewel collection.
Cartier floral brooch and earrings by unknown
Cartier turquoise and diamond parure
Two cartier ruby and sapphire bracelets
Cartier sapphire & diamond brooch of 47.12 cts & Earrings by Cartier
(top) Cartier pearl & diamond earrings. Diamond & Synthetic emerald bracelet. Cartier earrings with natural pearls (bottom)
A diamond and pearl brooche that belonged to Empress Marie Feodorovna of Russia in the necklace. The necklace was later signed by Cartier. This brooche sold by Grand Duchess Xenia to Lady Lydia.
A painting of Empress Marie wearing the brooche
Lady Lydia wearing the brooche in photo by Dorothy Wilding
A black pearl and diamond necklace. The diamond is 7.17ct and the black pearl stems from the collection of the Yussupovs in Russia. The necklace was reset by Cartier and the two black pearls in it's original setting split up.
The original configuration for this necklace is seen below as it was displayed by the Yussupovs in the 1920s along with La Pelegrina & the Azra black Pearl of Catherine II.
Cartier ruby & diamond parure
Diamond brooch and earrings of 8.62ct & 8.22cts
A two strand diamond necklace
The Polar star diamond 41.285cts. Mounted in a ring by Boucheron. This diamond can be traced back to Joseph Bonaparte and was then bough by Princess Tatiana Youssupov. After the revolution it was sold by Cartier to Sir Henry Deterding.
Princess Tatiana Alexandrovna Yusupova wearing the Polar Star on her tiara
on December 8, 2011, 1:31 am
