Art News

Contents of Lord Glenconner’s St Lucian home make 1 million+ at Bonhams

LONDON.- A gem-set gold pendant from the treasury of the legendary Indian ruler, Tipu Sultan, was the star lot in the sale of the contents of Lord Glenconner’s St Lucian home at Bonhams in London on 28 September. The pendant, which is set with a 38 carat emerald surrounded by nine precious stones including topaz, blue sapphire, ruby, diamond and pearl, was estimated at between £80,000 and 120,000, but made £217,250. The buyer wishes to remain anonymous. The sale raised over £1million for the Glenconner Trustees and Estate. In a packed saleroom, many items made over ten times their pre-sale estimate. A set of exotic coral wall lights estimated at £2,000 to £3,000, for example, sold for £31,500. Princess Margaret’s gifts to Lord Glenconner attracted great interest. A silver snuff box given by the Princess for the Peer’s 50th birthday sold for £4,000. A pair of cufflinks made £3,750 and a glass engraving of the Gre