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Storied Unicorn Brooch Up for Auction Gallops to New Home
The Verdura brooch, which belonged to the late Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, was sold to a private collector in Asia.
This whimsical Verdura unicorn brooch belonged to the late Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, dowager countess of Airlie and the lady of the bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II.
London—A unicorn brooch with a royal connection went home with a new owner at Elmwood’s jewelry sale in London Wednesday.
The Verdura unicorn brooch belonged to the late Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, dowager countess of Airlie.
She served as a lady of the bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II for nearly 50 years, the first and only American to hold the position.
The brooch is in the shape of a unicorn’s head emerging from a circular cabochon turquoise crown, decorated with pear-shaped diamond fringe, and a diamond-set horn. There is a flower set with brilliant-cut diamonds in the unicorn’s mouth.
Signed Verdura, it is set with approximately 1.10 carats of diamonds.
The brooch drew in bidders from around the world, said Elmwood's, both online and on the phones. The winning bid came from a private collector in Asia.
The brooch sold for £23,750 ($32,290), within its pre-sale estimate of £20,000 to £30,000 ($27,000 to $40,500).
“We were absolutely delighted with the result,” said Joe Kendrick, head of sale at Elmwood’s Auctioneers, noting the “huge excitement” surrounding the brooch.
“It was wonderful to see such strong international interest and we are thrilled that the brooch is now going to a private collector that we hope will treasure it. It is exactly the kind of jewel that has a story as remarkable as the object itself, and today’s result reflects just how compelling that combination can be for collectors.”
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The Verdura unicorn brooch belonged to the late Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, dowager countess of Airlie.
She served as a lady of the bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II for nearly 50 years, the first and only American to hold the position.
The brooch is in the shape of a unicorn’s head emerging from a circular cabochon turquoise crown, decorated with pear-shaped diamond fringe, and a diamond-set horn. There is a flower set with brilliant-cut diamonds in the unicorn’s mouth.
Signed Verdura, it is set with approximately 1.10 carats of diamonds.
The brooch drew in bidders from around the world, said Elmwood's, both online and on the phones. The winning bid came from a private collector in Asia.
The brooch sold for £23,750 ($32,290), within its pre-sale estimate of £20,000 to £30,000 ($27,000 to $40,500).
“We were absolutely delighted with the result,” said Joe Kendrick, head of sale at Elmwood’s Auctioneers, noting the “huge excitement” surrounding the brooch.
“It was wonderful to see such strong international interest and we are thrilled that the brooch is now going to a private collector that we hope will treasure it. It is exactly the kind of jewel that has a story as remarkable as the object itself, and today’s result reflects just how compelling that combination can be for collectors.”
The unicorn brooch was one of Ogilvy’s favorites, the auction house said.
Her mother was a longtime friend of Italian-American jeweler Duke Fulco di Verdura and he became Ogilvy’s friend as well.
The unicorn was a recurring motif in Verdura’s work, said Elmwood’s, as he found inspiration in the folk carvings on early American carousels.
“The £23,750 result demonstrates the continued international appetite for exceptional jewels combining important design, royal provenance, and a compelling personal history,” said Kendrick.
Other top lots included an Art Deco diamond feather brooch by Van Cleef & Arpels, circa 1927, which achieved £75,000 ($102,000), and an Art Deco Egyptian revival tiara that sold for £65,000 ($88,400).
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