Auction PR Publicity Announcements News and Information
Auction PR Publicity Announcements News and Information

Bonhams Auction Contents of Lord Glenconner St Lucia Home

A gem-set gold pendant from the treasury of the legendary Indian ruler, Tipu Sultan, was the star lot in the sale of the contents of Lord Glenconner’s St Lucian home at Bonhams in London on 28 September.

The pendant, which is set with a 38 carat emerald surrounded by nine precious stones including topaz, blue sapphire, ruby, diamond and pearl, was estimated at between £80,000 and 120,000, but made £217,250. The buyer wishes to remain anonymous.

The sale raised over £1million for the Glenconner Trustees and Estate.

In a packed saleroom, many items made over ten times their pre-sale estimate. A set of exotic coral wall lights estimated at £2,000 to £3,000, for example, sold for £31,500.

Princess Margaret’s gifts to Lord Glenconner attracted great interest. A silver snuff box given by the Princess for the Peer’s 50th birthday sold for £4,000. A pair of cufflinks made £3,750 and a glass engraving of the Great House, Mustique sold for £6,250. Another celebrity birthday gift, a Coco de Mer from Jerry Hall, fetched £1,125.

A magnificent North Indian 19th century silver sheet-covered wood tester bed is heading back to Mustique. It was bought for £51,560 and will be installed in the newly refurbished Windward House on the island.

A rare 18th century South Indian carved emerald figurine was bought for £78,050 and a late Mughal inscribed emerald bearing the name of Prasanna Coomar Tagore from 1826 sold for £28,750.

The 3rd Lord Glenconner, formerly Colin Tennant, was best known for transforming the barren Caribbean island of Mustique into a luxurious and glamorous playground for the rich and famous. In the 1960s and ‘70s, the island became renowned for sensational parties with guest lists of aristocrats, rock stars and royalty.

Lady Glenconner said of the sale: “Colin was much loved in the Caribbean and I’m delighted that this sale will enable the estate Colin spent so much time developing, to be maintained and to continue to provide a livelihood for many local people.”

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *