The Family Collection of the late Countess Mountbatten of Burma

Cultured pearl, diamond and enamel bracelet, 1940s

Auction Closed

March 24, 08:41 PM GMT

Estimate

2,000 - 3,000 GBP

Lot Details

Description

Cultured pearl, diamond and enamel bracelet

1940s

composed of four strands of cultured pearls, the clasp and central element depicting the insignia of the Grenadier Guards and the Coldstream Guards, applied with enamel, calibré-cut rubies and rose-cut diamonds, each detaching to form a clip brooch, length approximately 185mm, two rose-cut diamonds and a calibré-cut ruby deficient on Star

Commissioned by Doreen, Lady Brabourne (1896-1979)

Inventory of Jewels belonging to Doreen, Lady Brabourne, 1965, boxes 2 & 3.

Lady Brabourne's eldest son, Norton Knatchbull, 6th Baronet (1922-1943) was commissioned into the Grenadier Guards in 1940, after serving in the Royal East Kent Regiment. He was wounded and captured by the Germans in Italy in 1943. On his way to a Germany he tried to escape from a POW train at Bronzolo, a village in South Tyrol, together with Arnold Guy Vivian, a fellow officer in the 6th Battalion. Both were recaptured and executed on the 15 September 1943.

His title passed to his brother, John Brabourne (1924-2005) who became the 7th Baronet. He served in the Coldstream Guards, rising to the rank of Captain. He fought in France from 1944.

The present bracelet was a touching tribute commissioned by Doreen, Lady Brabourne to the son she lost and her surviving sons heroic service during the war.