Van Cleef & Arpels: A commemorative diamond pendant / brooch, 1956
£1,008
Auction: 23 October 2024 From 14:00 BST
Description
Featuring the coat of arms of the Republic of Panama surmounted by an arched line of nine stars, corresponding to the nine provinces into which the country is divided, the central star set with a single-cut diamond, within a ropetwist frame, engraved YL de Magloire, Congreso de Panama 1826 - 1956 to the reverse, signed Van Cleef & Arpels NY, length 2.8cm
Provenance
From the Private Collection of Yolette Leconte Magloire (1917-1981). Hence by descent
Yolette Leconte Magloire was First Lady of Haiti from 1950 to 1956. She was a direct descendant of Jean-Jacques Dessalines (1758-1806), the former slave who ultimately became leader of the Haitian Revolution, founder and leader of an independent Haiti.
At just 19 years old, Yolette Leconte married Paul Eugene Magloire (1907-2001) who would become the 30th President of Haiti. The election in 1950 was the first in the nation's history where all adult males had a right to vote. After gaining office, Magloire oversaw women's suffrage being granted. During his presidency, Haiti became one of the most popular Caribbean destinations for American and European tourists. Magloire and Leconte emphasised public works and cultural projects during this time. In 1951, the Madame Paul E. Magloire Foundation was created to establish two solid educational and professional training institutions for young girls in Haiti, L'ecoles des arts menagers of Saint Martin and Cap-Haitien. Yolette Leconte Magloire was also known for her charity banquets and balls, the proceeds of which were used to fund hospitals and orphanages.
Magloire's anti-communist position helped create close ties with the U.S. In early 1955, Leconte and Magloire were invited on a State Visit to Washington D.C. They were welcomed by then Vice President Richard Nixon and were received by President Eisenhower at the White House.
Also see lots 149-167.
Footnote
In 1956, thirty five countries were invited to be part of the 130th anniversary of the Panamanian Congress, originally held in 1826. Nineteen countries took part in what was ultimately mostly a ceremonial event.
It’s likely that these pendants were personalised for each First Lady, meaning that in total only nineteen were ever made by VCA in New York. Currently there is no record of any other of these pendants coming on to the open market.