An emerald and diamond brooch/pendant & A pair of emerald and diamond earrings sold @ Bonhams

An emerald and diamond brooch/pendant © 2002-2009 Bonhams 1793 Ltd

The central cushion-shaped emerald, weighing 18.85 carats, within a border of brilliant-cut diamonds, suspended from a marquise-cut diamond three-stone surmount, on a fancy-link chain necklace with brilliant-cut diamond three-stone clasp, diamonds approximately 4.30 carats total, detachable brooch and pendant fittings, brooch length 2.7cm., necklace length 39.2cm. Sold for £57,600

Accompanied by a certificate from Gübelin.

Provenance: John Francis Caradoc (formerly Cradock), first Baron Howden (1762-1839)
Theodosia, Lady Howden (d.1853), his widow
John Hobart Caradoc, second Baron Howden (1799-1873)
Gifted to Eleanor Meade, wife of Edward Meade, a first cousin
Direct descent to the current owner

This fine emerald once belonged to John Francis Caradoc (formerly Cradock), first Baron Howden (1762-1839), a distinguished army officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars and who was given a peerage by the Duke of Wellington.

In 1803 he was appointed Commander-in-Chief of Madras and at this time formed a large collection of emeralds. His son, John Hobart Caradoc, second Baron Howden (1799-1873), a diplomat and charismatic Regency buck who lived up to his nickname Beauty Caradoc, added to the collection during his time spent as a minister in South America in the mid 19th century.

After the first Lord Howden's death in 1839, the collection of emeralds, which numbered more than seventy stones, remained in the possession of his widow, Theodosia. After Lady Howden's death in 1853, her son gave them to Eleanor Meade (nee Bosanquet), wife of his first cousin, Edward. Eleanor had struck up a close friendship with the widowed Lady Howden, her aunt by marriage, whom she visited almost daily. The second Lord Howden, who spent much of his life abroad, was based in Madrid when his mother died. Upon hearing the sad news, he wrote to his cousin, Edward Meade, "I have not an idea if my mother has any jewels or if she has given them away. If she still has her emeralds, I anxiously trust Mrs Meade will allow me to present them to her as a testimony of regard and friendship".

This emerald, which once formed the clasp of a necklace, has remained in the same family ever since. It was re-mounted in its current form around 1970.

A pair of emerald and diamond earrings © 2002-2009 Bonhams 1793 Ltd

Each centrally set with a circular-cut emerald, within a surround of brilliant-cut diamonds, diamonds approximately 2.00 carats total, length 1.9cm., cased - Sold for £9,600

Bonhams. Fine Jewellery, 9 Dec 2009. New Bond Street www.bonhams.com