Ring of Heaven, estimated at £2000-3000 at Woolley & Wallis.
A true connoisseur of antique jewellery, this personal collection was assembled over Chameroy’s decades of experience in the jewellery trade, and focuses on scholarly pieces from the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries.
Chameroy’s passion for historic jewellery is apparent from a large number of 18th and 19th century cut steel and Victorian hairwork jewels, tortoiseshell piqué work and Georgian paste shoe buckles, as well as good examples of mid 18th century ‘Queen Anne’ paste. Among the highlights of the September 24 sale is a collection of 18th century mourning rings and bagues au firmament.
The Bague au Firmament, or ‘Ring of Heaven’ was designed to celebrate the news that Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were expecting an heir – the dark blue glass representing a night sky dotted with diamond-set stars. Marie Antoinette was known to wear her own almost every day.
The style grew in popularity and spread beyond its native France in the late 18th century and early 19th century, incorporating floral and geometric motifs, and adapting to fit brooches and other jewels.
This late 18th century example in blue glass and diamonds that Chameroy had bought at the Michael Wellby sale at Sotheby’s in December 2012. It has an estimate of £2000-3000, although all items in the Salisbury sale will be offered without reserve.
