DIAMOND TIARA, 1890s

Designed as five star jewels, each set with circular- and rose-cut diamonds, accompanied by two tiara fittings, five hair pins set en tremblant, five pendent fittings, five brooch fittings and one tortoiseshell hair comb, fitted case embossed to the outside K.F.T.

Formerly in the collection of Katier Frances Thesiger who is believed to have been the Aunt of the great explorer, Wilfred Thesiger.

Sir Wilfred Patrick Thesiger, CBE, DSO 1910-2003

British explorer and travel writer, born in Addis Ababa. Educated at Eton College and Magdalen College Oxford, he later returned to Africa in 1930 to attend the coronation of Emperor Haile Selassie and again later in 1933 in an expedition funded by the Royal Geographical Society to explore the course of the Awash River.

He served in several desert campaigns with the Sudan Defence Force and the Special Air Service with the rank of major, while during World War II he fought with the Gideon Force in Ethiopia during the East Africa Campaign. From 1945 to 1949 he explored the southern regions of the Arabian Peninsula and travelled to Iraq, Persia, Kurdistan, French West Africa, Pakistan and Kenya returning to England in the 1990s where he was knighted in 1995.

He is best known for his two travel books, 'Arabian Sands' 1959 and 'The Marsh Arabs' 1964, his personal collection of over 25,000 negatives taken during his travels where donated to the Pitt Rivers Museum Oxford.

 

In overall good condition, each diamond star with approximately 3.00 to 3.50 carats in total, mixed colours and clarities, bright and lively. Case with some scuffing to leather exterior on edges, and wear to the blue silk interior commensurate with age and wear.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Please note that colour, clarity and weight of gemstones are statements of opinion only and not statements of fact by Sotheby's. We do not guarantee, and are not responsible for any certificate from a gemological laboratory that may accompany the property. We do not guarantee that watches are in working order. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue, in particular to the Notice regarding the treatment and condition of gemstones and to the Notice regarding import of Burmese jadeite and rubies into the US.
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