 |
| The Double Swan Brooch |
For the first day of Ascot 2014, the Queen gave a public debut to a new-to-us brooch: two large white pearls forming the bodies of two swans, with diamond accents completing the depiction. According to the television commentary during the Ascot carriage procession, the brooch is by G. Collins & Sons, home of Harry Collins, the Queen's Personal Jeweler and the former Crown Jeweler.
A brooch sold at Christie's in December 2007* is a match for the Queen's (shown above; there could be very minor differences between the two, but owing to different angles, it is hard to tell). The brooch was sold as part of a group of jewels which together brought $8,750. It was described as a platinum and gold brooch featuring two freshwater cultured pearls with creamy white bodycolor and slight rosé overtones, plus approximately 117 circular-cut diamonds, weighing approximately 2.00-2.50 carats total, and black enamel accents.
Interestingly, it is not the only swan brooch in the Queen's collection; she has at least one other, a small
Diamond Swan Brooch. And swan brooches are quite fitting for Her Majesty, as the Crown has the rights of ownership of all unmarked mute swans in open water, a right only exercised on certain parts of the Thames and its tributaries.
*Thank you Bella!
Appearances:
30 May 2018:
Audiences at Buckingham Palace
2 July 2015:
Holyrood Week, Day 3: Scottish Veterans Garden City Association
17 June 2014:
Royal Ascot, Day 1
Photo: Reuters/Christie's
