Christie’s to offer two pieces of Cartier’s Tiger Jewellery at auction

Christie’s is presenting two jewellery pieces from Cartier’s Tiger Jewellery - an onyx and diamond clip brooch and bracelet, with emerald eyes, both made in the 1950s, as part of its offerings at the Magnificent Jewels auction in Geneva. The sale is slated on November 11. The two jewels are famed for they formerly were part of the collection of the Duchess of Windsor and given to Sarah Brightman by her then husband Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Both pieces are to be sold as one lot with a combined estimate of US$1,800,000-2,500,000.

The Cartier Tiger Collection appeared in 1928 and stood out as a highlight of 20th century jewellery design. Their rarity comes from their ownership, becoming symbols of love in their gifting. Edward VIII, abdicated in 1936 to marry Wallis Simpson, and in France they together created a remarkable collection of avant-garde jewels that defined the style of the 1940s and 1950s. These pieces were bought by the Duke and Duchess of Windsor from Cartier between 1956 and 1959. Seven Great Cat pieces by Cartier, including the two tiger pieces, were offered during the sale of Duchess of Windsor’s collection in 1987, in Geneva. Andrew Lloyd Webber bought them for his then wife, Sarah Brightman at the time, which she would now like to see a new owner cherish.

Sarah Brightman intends to offer a portion of the sale proceeds to The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, which significantly supports the arts, music in schools, The Architectural Heritage Fund and awards 30 performing arts scholarships annually. This donation will ensure the causes they both support benefit from the sale.