Jennifer Tonkin
Co-Head of Department UK
Lot 26
OF ROYAL INTEREST: DIAMOND, RUBY AND ENAMEL PENDANT, 17TH CENTURY AND LATER
11 December 2025, 10:30 GMT
London, New Bond Street£25,000 - £35,000
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Kate Flitcroft
Co-Head of Department UK
Charlotte Holmes
Senior Specialist
Jose MariaFiguerola
Senior Specialist
Aimee Wickes
Sale Coordinator
OF ROYAL INTEREST: DIAMOND, RUBY AND ENAMEL PENDANT, 17TH CENTURY AND LATER
The 17th century lozenge-shaped rose-cut diamond, in the 18th century pierced ribbon swivel locket with a pierced ribbon cresting, set with cushion-shaped rubies, terminating with white enamel ribbon tails inscribed, L'AMOUR EN FAIT LE LIEN ("love is the link"), the reverse decorated with white enamel and the cypher of William III (1650–1702) and Mary II (1662-1694), mounted in gold, length 4.0cm
Footnotes
Exhibited:
Jewellery Exhibition, City Art Gallery, Birmingham, 1960
Literature:
Gans, M. H. Juwelen en Mensen, Amsterdam, 1961, pp. 117 and 202, ill.pl.177-178.
Scarisbrick, D. Ancestral Jewels, 1989, p. 45
Provenance:
Edward Charles Baring, 1st Baron Revelstoke (1828–1897);
Given to his daughter, the Hon. Margaret Baring (1868-1906), wife of Charles Robert Spencer, 6th Earl Spencer (1857–1922), on the occasion of her 21st birthday on 14th December 1889;
Christie's, London, The Spencer House Sale, 8th July 2010, lot 1076;
Property of a Gentleman (acquired in the above sale)
The monarchical tradition of presenting a Royal cypher jewel to a subject in recognition of their unwavering loyalty or outstanding service is rooted in antiquity. By the time of the English Civil War and following the execution of Charles I in 1649, commemorative jewellery featuring Royal cyphers, both with and without the King's image, were produced in vast numbers. These jewels were worn by Royalists in support of the Crown. Some were presented by the exiled Queen Henrietta Maria to Royalist supporters in appreciation of their continued loyalty and financial backing. Others were concealed beneath covers to enable supporters of the Royalist cause to keep their allegiance secret for their own protection. The tradition for jewels incorporating Royal cyphers remained popular throughout the Stuart dynasty and particularly during times of political and religious uncertainty, national mourning and even celebration, such as the Restoration of the Stuart monarchy in 1660, when these jewels could be worn more openly. They demonstrate allegiance, social status and personal identity.
Prince William of Orange married Charles I's grand-daughter, Mary Stuart, the Princess Royal, in 1677. The couple were happily married and anointed joint sovereigns in 1689. Devastated by Mary's early death from smallpox, William ruled alone until his own death from a riding accident in 1702.
A member of the Baring banking family, "Ned" Baring was known for his keen interest in historic and ancestral jewels. He became a senior partner at Baring Brothers and Co until the Panic of 1890. He was also a Director of the Bank of England (1879–1891), Chairman of Lloyds (1887–1892) and a Lieutenant of the City of London. He became Baron Revelstoke, of Membland, Devon in 1885. Revelstoke in British Columbia was renamed in his honour, commemorating his role in securing the necessary financing for the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway. He had seven sons and three daughters with his wife, Louisa Emily Charlotte Bulteel (d.1892), of whom, Margaret was the fifth child and second daughter.