Nancy Astor's Turquoise And Diamond Tiara
- Editor OGN Daily
- Jun 1
- 2 min read
The Cartier tiara, owned by the first woman to take a seat in Britain's House of Commons, is heading to auction.
Nancy Astor was born Nancy Witcher Langhorne in Danville, Virginia, in 1879. In 1905 she moved to England and met the American-born Waldorf Astor, 2nd Viscount Astor, on the same voyage across the Atlantic from America. The couple were married in 1906 and after Lord Astor relinquished his seat in the House of Commons in 1919, Nancy Astor was elected by substantial majority in his place, to represent Plymouth Sutton in Parliament. She held the seat until she stood down in 1945.
During Astor's time in government she pushed for the Intoxicating Liquor Act, known as Lady Astor's Bill, which passed in 1923, raising the legal drinking age from 14 to 18.
London Auctioneers Bonhams said the auction in June would see the tiara on the market for the first time since it was bought by her husband Lord Waldorf Astor in 1930. Global head of jewellery at Bonhams Jean Ghika said the "exceptionally rare" tiara with "impeccable provenance" dates from when Cartier London was at the "height of its creative prowess". Ms Ghika added: "With impeccable provenance and a compelling marriage of Western and Eastern influences in the design, the tiara is exceptionally rare."
The tiara features single, rose-cut and brilliant-cut diamonds and three fluted turquoise plumes set with diamond stems, according to Bonhams. The auction house estimates the tiara could sell for up to £350,000 (just under $500,000).
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