Our clients can be certain that each and every piece in our gallery has been hand-selected and carefully vetted for authenticity, condition and provenance. And, because our network of contacts spans generations, we are often able to acquire pieces that may have otherwise never been available on the market.

Hailing from all parts of the globe including Europe, Asia and the America’s, and dating from the 16th to the 20th centuries, many pieces in our collections were once featured in the world’s great exhibitions and were housed in the famous homes and castles of Europe. Crafted by masters such as Chippendale, Meissen, Baccarat and more, they were once owned or commissioned by names such as Vanderbilt, Rothschilde and Queen Victoria. We are proud to be the stewards of the wonderful pieces that grace our gallery and we are thrilled to share the remarkable stories they have to tell.

This brooch once belonged to the Duchess, who is often remembered as owning one of the finest and most luxurious jewelry collections of the modern age. Originally created by a native artisan in the area of Bukhara, Uzbekistan, the delicately crafted goldwork, natural pearls, emeralds and pink tourmalines all highlight the precious natural materials of that region. The gold is crafted in an intricate openwork design in the Indian style set with faceted emeralds and tourmalines, while pearls and beaded gemstones hang like tassels from the central structure.

Always wanting to be on the cutting edge of fashion trends, the Duchess often had pieces in her collection altered and redesigned to suit her modern tastes. She later commissioned Cartier to add an emerald and tourmaline mounting at the apex of this brooch’s design, further enhancing its visual impact and prestige.
Simpson’s jewelry collection was second to none, and it became just as much a part of her public persona as was her personal life. Throughout their relationship and marriage, the Windsors marked special occasions with gifts, and exceptional gems were always on order. The Duke of Windsor was as much an arbiter and follower of fashion as his wife, and jewelry was a favorite of his; he even helped design several pieces for the Duchess. In fact, many of his collaborations with jewelers, including Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, were considered the forerunners of the post-War style. In 1987, Sotheby’s held a historic auction of Simpson’s collection, which raised $53.5 million, the world record for any single-owner collection of jewelry, underscoring this brooch’s importance.