Noonans will auction off jewelry that belonged to the late Lady Wardington as part of its “Jewellery, Watches, Silver, and Objects of Vertu” sale on March 10, including this diamond-clip brooch that converts to earrings. (Images courtesy of Noonans)
London—The jewelry collection of the late Lady Wardington will be up for auction as part of Noonans’ upcoming sale.
The “Jewellery, Watches, Silver, and Objects of Vertu” sale will be held on March 10 at its Mayfair location in London.
Several of her jewels are accompanied by jewelry cases signed by London jewelers active in the mid-20th century, including John Haynes & Co. and Searle & Co. Ltd, Jewellers & Silversmiths.
From humble beginnings, she would go on to be a high-profile model, a fashion editor, author, and an advocate for women gaining financial independence.
She was born Margaret Audrey White in Bradford, West Yorkshire, in 1927, the only child of a travelling salesman, raised in North London by her mother.
When she left school at 16, she got a job at the Elizabeth Arden cosmetics salon on Bond Street.
Phyllis Digby Morton, editor of Woman and Beauty magazine, noticed White behind the counter and invited her to model for the publication.
The chance meeting would launch White’s modeling career.
In 1951, she applied to be a stand-in television announcer at the BBC, but she didn’t get the job.
The executives allegedly said she was “too sophisticated and severely beautiful” for the role, and worried she might alarm the “timid men from Wigan and country districts.”
Though she didn’t snag that role, she would become the fashion editor of Housewife magazine in 1952.
In 1964, White married Christopher Henry Beaumont “Bic” Pease, 2nd Lord Wardington, a partner at stockbrokers Hoare Govett.
They lived at the family home, Wardington Manor, near Banbury, Oxfordshire, where they raised three children.
As Lady Wardington, she advocated for practical measures to help women gain financial independence.
She established a financial management course for women, Capital and Savings Handling, to teach them about savings, pensions, and the stock market, according to her obituary by the Independent.
In 1991, she began writing a series of books called “Superhints,” sharing tips given by celebrities on cooking, gardening, and life.
She died in November 2014 at the age of 87.
“The collection offered here for sale comprises a selection of Lady Wardington’s personal jewelry and accessories, most of which were purchased as gifts by her husband—evidenced by the jewelry cases signed by jewelers located in the city of London, close to his offices,” said Frances Noble, head of the jewelry department at Noonans.
“This varied collection offers a snapshot of the jewels worn by one of society's most glamorous and beautiful women of the mid-20th century.”
A diamond and platinum geometric bracelet, circa 1950, from the collection of the late Lady Wardington
Auction highlights include a diamond and platinum geometric bracelet, circa 1950, set with 28 carats of diamonds. It comes in a case by Searle & Co. Ltd, Jewellers & Silversmiths.
The bracelet has a pre-sale estimate of £15,000 to £20,000 ($20,300 to $27,100).
One of the “most striking pieces from the collection,” said Noonans, is a gem-set cluster brooch-pendant.
This diamond and gemstone-set pendant can also be flipped and worn as a brooch.
The pear-shaped cluster is set with several gemstones, including cushion-shaped yellow and blue sapphires, emeralds, aquamarines, and rubies, with old brilliant-cut diamond accents.
It has a pre-sale estimate of £4,000 to £6,000 ($5,400 to $8,100).
A pair of Colombian emerald and diamond earrings, accompanied by a jewelry case signed “John Haynes & Co. Ltd.”
Also up for sale is a pair of emerald and diamond earrings, each set with a pear-cut Colombian emerald surrounded by brilliant-cut diamonds. The emeralds are 4.50 and 4.20 carats.
Its fitted case is signed “John Haynes & Co. Ltd.”
They are expected to sell for £8,000 to £12,000 ($10,800 to $16,200).
Related stories will be right here …
A mid-20th century gold and diamond-set evening purse is expected to sell for £15,000 to £20,000 ($20,300 to $27,100).
A similar gold evening purse has an estimate of £10,000 to £15,000 ($13,500 to $20,300).
These two gold evening bags are expected to sell for up to £15,000 (left) and £20,000.
A diamond double-clip brooch, circa 1950, featuring a flowerhead and ribbon design and set with 5.50 carats of brilliant-, single-, and baguette-cut diamonds, turns into a pair of earrings when the clips detach.
A diamond double-clip brooch, circa 1950, that can be converted into a pair of earrings
It comes in a case, seen at the top of the story, that reads “Thomas Wordley Ltd.”
It’s estimated to sell for £4,000 to £6,000 ($5,400 to $8,100).
This Georgian bracelet features eight rectangular agate panels.
A Georgian gold and agate bracelet, featuring eight rectangular agate panels, each claw set with baton-links between, is estimated to sell for £3,000 to £5,000 ($4,000 to $6,700).
Its jewelry case is from British jeweler and silversmith Johnson, Walker, & Tolhurst Ltd., who counted Winston Churchill and Indian maharajahs among its customers, said Noonans.
Also up for sale are two pocket watches, including a watch with a swivel fob seal signed by “Joseph Heming” with a London hallmark for 1882.
Lady Wardington’s collection, spanning a total of 30 lots, is being sold by her direct descendants, said Noonans.
