Auctions

A Medallion With Locks of Hair from King George III, Queen Charlotte Is Going to Auction

AuctionsJul 05, 2023

A Medallion With Locks of Hair from King George III, Queen Charlotte Is Going to Auction

Queen Charlotte originally commissioned the piece on occasion of the king’s recovery from illness.

King George III Return from Illness medallion locket pendant with lock of his hair and Queen Charlotte’s hair
This medallion Queen Charlotte commissioned to commemorate King George III’s return from illness, later refashioned into a locket on the reverse with a lock of King George and Queen Charlotte’s hair, is headed to the auction lock at Christie’s London this week.
London—This week, amid an auction of silver and gold boxes, a jewel with royal provenance stands out.
 
Part of Christie’s London’s “Bayreuth: A Connoisseur’s Collection of English Silver and Gold Boxes” collection is a pendant incorporating a medallion Queen Charlotte (1744-1818) commissioned on occasion of King George III’s (1738-1820) recovery from illness in 1789.
 
Queen Charlotte presented the medallions to close friends who were loyal during the king’s illness. 
 
George III became king in 1760 at age 22, succeeding his grandfather, George II, upon his death
 
George III’s father died in 1751, never having held the throne. 
 
George III married Charlotte in 1761. They had 15 children, 13 of whom reached adulthood. 
 
Best remembered as the king during the American Revolutionary War, George III’s legacy surrounding his mental health is foggy. 
 
 Related stories will be right here … 
 
He suffered from bouts of mental illness from 1788-1789 and in 1801. In the last decade of his life, he was said to have completely lost his mental faculties, and from 1811-1829, his eldest son, who would eventually become King George IV, took over royal duties as Prince Regent.  
 
Experts have theorized the king’s mental issues were a result of the hereditary disorder porphyria, which may have caused mania, or bipolar disorder. 
 
After the king’s first significant period of mental illness, the British Parliament officially congratulated King George on his return to royal duties on March 10, 1789. The date is commemorated on the medallion’s enamel face.
 
The medallion was later converted into a locket pendant featuring an enamel crown, diamonds, rubies, and emeralds circa 1820, the year the king died. Queen Charlotte died in 1818.
 
On the reverse, a compartment holds a lock of the king and queen’s hair. 

King George III Return from Illness medallion locket pendant with lock of his hair and Queen Charlotte’s hair
The reverse of the pendant features a compartment with a lock of Queen Charlotte and King George’s hair. Their dates of death are depicted in enamel.

The locket pendant’s pre-sale estimate is a modest £3,000-£5,000, or approximately $3,807-$6,345 per current exchange rates.
 
It’s on offer alongside more than 200 decorative objects such as tableware and snuff boxes amassed over 40 years comprising the Bayreuth collection. 
 
The sale is happening as part of Christie’s “Classic Week,” which includes several auctions in London and online offering art from antiquity to the 20th century. 
 
The pendant is on view through July 6 and will hit the auction block on July 7. 
 

The Latest

Cartier Panthère watch
WatchesSep 11, 2024
These Are the Watches Women Want, Says Chrono24

Its “Her-ology” report highlights trends in the women’s luxury watch market, from top brands to movement preferences.

Marrow Fine x Adalina Martini and Tennis Necklace
IndependentsSep 11, 2024
Take a Sip of Marrow Fine x Adalina’s $13K Martini

The smoked heirloom tomato mezcal martini, only available at Adalina in Chicago, is served with a 9-carat diamond tennis necklace.

Lightbox loose lab-grown diamonds
Events & AwardsSep 11, 2024
Lab-Grown, Natural Diamonds to Be Focus of AGS Confluence

Scheduled for Sept. 25, the online-only event will be open to non-AGS members this year, for a fee.

How to Increase Instagram Followers Naturally in 2024 2.0 (1).jpg
Brought to you by
How to Increase Instagram Followers Naturally in 2024

Growing your Instagram following organically is more important than ever in today's technological environment.

Brilliant Earth Showroom Fairfax Virginia
MajorsSep 11, 2024
Brilliant Earth Expands International E-Commerce

Customers in more than 150 countries can now shop at the jewelry retailer’s online store.

Weekly QuizSep 05, 2024
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Gems Keep Giving
Policies & IssuesSep 11, 2024
Gems Keep Giving Reorganizes, Taps Hayley Henning as Board Chair

The organization, which was started by the International Colored Gemstone Association, is now a 501(c)(3).

 Jeffrey Lynn High
IndependentsSep 10, 2024
Industry Technology Visionary Jeff High Dies at 60

The Gemvision founder is remembered as a passionate mentor with a deep love for God.

Supplier Spotlight -Recorded-Webinar.png
Brought to you by
Watch: Natural Diamonds: A Great (but Often Untold) Geology Story

Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA.

Foundrae Golden Hour Campaign
CollectionsSep 10, 2024
Foundrae’s Latest Collection Harnesses the Glow of the Golden Hour

The “Golden Hour” collection was designed to “inspire and encourage reflection,” said the brand.

Movado When I Move You Move campaign
MajorsSep 10, 2024
Ludacris, Jessica Alba Star in New Movado Campaign

Movado has named five new brand ambassadors, featuring them in its new “When I Move You Move” campaign.

Carol Woolton
TrendsSep 10, 2024
Carol Woolton To Release New Book

The jewelry historian discusses the history and cultural significance of jewelry throughout time and across the globe.

Hearts On Fire Love, Unleashed Campaign
CollectionsSep 09, 2024
Hearts On Fire Debuts New Campaign, Designs

The “Love, Unleashed” campaign is an ode to love, featuring 16 new designs from Hearts On Fire’s “Vela” collection.

Fuli gemstones beidou cut
SourcingSep 09, 2024
Fuli Gemstones Introduces ‘Beidou Cut’

The miner’s new peridot cut will debut at the upcoming Hong Kong jewelry trade show.

Fabergé Beetlejuice Beetlejuice jewelry collection
CollectionsSep 06, 2024
The ‘Fabergé x Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ Collection is Scary Chic

It’s showtime for these jewels, inspired by the motifs and color palette of the new Tim Burton film.

Movado Connect 2.0 watches
FinancialsSep 06, 2024
Movado Lowers Guidance as Q2 Sales Slip

CEO Efraim Grinberg pointed to a challenging consumer spending environment, particularly in the watch category.

Lizzie Mandler’s Liquid Gold Hoops
CollectionsSep 06, 2024
Piece of the Week: Lizzie Mandler’s ‘Liquid Gold’ Hoops

Inspired by a 19th century sculpture, Mandler transformed gold into liquid for these earrings.

Bella Hadid in Chopard Campaigns
CollectionsSep 05, 2024
Bella Hadid Is Chopard’s New Brand Ambassador

The model and entrepreneur stars in two new Chopard campaigns.

Nordstrom men’s store New York City
MajorsSep 05, 2024
Nordstrom Family Offers to Buy Namesake Retailer for $3.8B

Members of the founding family partnered with Mexican retail company El Puerto de Liverpool to possibly take Nordstrom private.

Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Bone cuff
MajorsSep 05, 2024
Tiffany & Co. Celebrates Elsa Peretti’s Bone Cuff

The iconic design has joined a lineup of notable pieces featured in the jeweler’s “With Love, Since 1837” campaign.

New Cadar CEO Ralph Simons
MajorsSep 05, 2024
Former Chopard, Frederique Constant Executive Tapped to Head Cadar

Ralph Simons is now CEO of the jewelry brand started by fashion designer Michal Kadar and her husband, Avraham Kadar, in 2015.

National Jeweler columnists Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams
ColumnistsSep 04, 2024
Creative Connecting: Why ‘Experience Content’ Matters

Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen say it’s all about giving your social media feeds a human touch.

 Models Taylor Hill and Soo Joo Park wearing Messika jewelry
TrendsSep 04, 2024
Taylor Hill, Soo Joo Park Star in New Messika Campaign

The models and friends of founder and artistic designer Valérie Messika showcase the brand’s jewelry in the “Back to Icons” campaign.

Bloomingdale’s From Italy, With Love campaign
MajorsSep 04, 2024
Bloomingdale’s to Highlight Italian Jewelry in New Campaign

“From Italy, With Love” will showcase Roberto Coin, Marco Bicego, and other Italian brands.

Zales tennis necklace over Prince tennis racket
CollectionsSep 03, 2024
Zales, Prince Debut US Open-Inspired Collection

The jewelry retailer will also have a diamond-set tennis racket on display at the tournament.

Ylang 23 Flagship
IndependentsSep 03, 2024
Ylang 23 Relocates, Expands Dallas Flagship

The retailer has moved into a 3,200-square-foot space at The Shops of Highland Park.

Suzanne Kalan
TrendsSep 03, 2024
Amanda’s Style File: Sapphires for September

The month’s birthstone is vibrant in every color.

Breitling watches
WatchesAug 30, 2024
Breitling Marks 140 Years With Special Editions of 3 Classic Watches

The special editions of the Premier, Navitimer, and Chronomat are equipped with a new perpetual calendar movement from the brand.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy