Lord Mountbatten's Indian bracelet, jewelled elephants fetch £5.6 million at UK auction

A diamond bracelet, a seed pearl pendant and a pair of ornate decorative elephants are amongst list of personal items belonging to Patricia Mountbatten, eldest daughter of Lord Louis Mountbatten, that have made it to Soby’s auction in London. 350 item collection fetched GBP 5.6 million at an auction held last week, which attracted buyers from across world. Lord Louis Mountbatten, who served as last viceroy of India, is said to have a special connection with country.  

Seed Pearl Pendant and ors 

Describing seed pearl pendant on ir website, New York-based auction house said that enamelled jewel was probably crafted in Jaipur in 19th century or later. It was in a lotus leaf form and suspended from a European bar with a fastener. It was sold for 2,142 GBP. 

Meanwhile, elaborating on pair of jewelled and enamelled gold elephants, Soby’s said that y also belonged to mid-twentieth century Jaipur. se jewelled elephants were a gift from Lord Mountbatten to Edwina Mountbatten to commemorate ir twenty-fourth wedding anniversary in 1946, as per website. While one of elephants has “'XXIV/ 18TH JULY 1946' inscribed on base, or has 'Edwina from Dickie' written. duo was sold for 34,020 GBP. 

“ enamel colours and profuse decoration is seen on elephants is typical of workshops in Jaipur. decoration is reminiscent of gem-setting and enamelling on a covered cup and saucer made in Jaipur, circa 1870-75, which was presented to Edward VII, when Prince of Wales, during his tour of India in 1875-76 by Maharaja Ram Singh II of Jaipur (Royal Collection, United Kingdom; RCIN 11424.a-c),” Soby’s said. 

bracelet, which alone fetched GBP 40,320, includes a portrait of  Queen Victoria’s husband Albert, as a child, and would have been commissioned by monarch herself. Experts believe that bracelet must have made it to Patricia through her Victorian line. 

All Im Credits: Soby's Auction House 

Main Im Credits: Soby's Auction House /AP