Pair of turquoise, amethyst and diamond ear clips, Cartier, 1960s

Each designed as a flower, the centre claw-set with a circular-cut amethyst within a surround of turquoise cabochons, the petals pavé-set with brilliant-cut diamonds, clip fittings, signed Cartier, numbered, French assay marks.

These ear clips were purchased from Cartier Paris in 1991 with the provenance that they had been acquired directly from the estate of Barbara Hutton.

French assay marks for 18 carat gold. Signed Cartier Paris. Numbered 03568. Amethysts deep purple with even tone, transparent, minor typical inclusions visible under magnification. The turquoises are bright greenish-blue, opaque. Diamonds bright and lively, estimated total diamond weight approximately 3.00 - 4.00 carats. Clips are in good working order. Light surface scratches to metal and stone surfaces consistent with wear. In good condition.
"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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Barbara Woolworth Hutton, 1912-1979 was an American heiress, daughter of the retail tycoon Frank Winfield Woolworth, founder of F. W. Woolworth Company and the operator of variety stores known as "Five-and-Dimes". When she was given a lavish debutante ball at the beginning of the Great Depression she was dubbed the “poor Little Rich Girl”, a name that haunted her throughout her life due to her great wealth and troubled private life. By the time of her 21^st birthday in 1933 she was worth over $70 million, making her one of the wealthiest women in the world. She married seven times, most famously to the British-born Hollywood movie star Cary Grant in 1942. Their divorce in 1945 was followed by her fourth marriage, to Prince Igor Troubetzkoy in 1947, an impoverished Russian prince and racing car driver who raced at the Monaco Grand Prix and later won the Targa Florio. This marriage also ended in divorce in 1951 when Barbara Hutton made headlines with her subsequent attempted suicide. In 1936 Barbara Hutton commissioned the English Architectural firm Wimperis, Simpson and Guthrie to build a Neo-Georgian mansion on the former site of Hertford Villa on the edge of Regents Park, named Winfield House in honour of her grandfather the Woolworth tycoon.

During the Second World War the mansion was used by the Royal Air Force 906 Barrage balloon Unit and also functioned as an officer’s club. After the war Barbara Hutton sold the house to the American government for $1 and in 1955 it became the official residence of the American Ambassador to the Court of St James where it remains in use to this day.