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Lot 42

An art deco diamond and enamel 'Gimcrack' clip,
by Cartier, circa 1923

27 April 2017, 14:00 BST
London, New Bond Street

Sold for £7,500 inc. premium

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An art deco diamond and enamel 'Gimcrack' clip, by Cartier, circa 1923

Depicting a rooster encrusted with single-cut diamonds perched within a black enamel hoop, decorated along the bottom with a similarly-cut diamond 'Gimcrack' inscription, diamonds approximately 0.60 carat total, signed Cartier, London, length 2.9cm, fitted case by Cartier

Footnotes

'Gimcrack' was one of the most admired 18th Century British thoroughbred racehorses. His grandsire was The Godolphin Arabian who was one of three stallions to have founded the modern thoroughbred racehorse bloodstock; and Gimcrack enjoyed a prevalent racing career, winning 27 out of his 36 starts.

Today Gimcrack is best associated with the Gimcrack Stakes, a race named in his honour from 1846, run at York racecourse's Ebor Festival. By repute this brooch belonged to The Right Honourable Alice Stanley, Countess of Derby, who's husband Lord Derby owned the 1923 winner of the Gimcrack with Sansovino. It is possible this brooch was presented to The Countess in December 1923 at the annual Gimcrack dinner following the running of that year's race.

Gimcrack was also the subject of some of George Stubbs' finest work, after he was commissioned to paint the horse by Lord Bolingbroke, Gimcrack's owner.

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