A 1968 two-strand gold and cultured pearl necklace by Charles de Temple, estimated at £4000-6000 at Lyon & Turnbull.
This 1968 two-strand gold and cultured pearl necklace is by Charles de Temple. Composed of two rows of baroque cultured pearls, each within a textured 18ct gold cage setting, it is expected to bring £4000-6000.
De Temple was born in Mexico in 1929 and was brought up as part of the famous Ringling Brothers Circus, touring across America. Having initially become a nightclub singer, he became a jeweller based in Massachusetts and developed great skills as a goldsmith. In 1957 he moved to London, and during the 1960s joined the modern British jewellery movement.
His most famous commissions were created for James Bond films: he made the goldfinger that Honour Blackman wore at the Goldfinger (1962) premiere, and designed the ring Bond (George Lazenby) gave to Contessa Teresa di Vicenzo (Diana Rigg) in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969).
