Lot 154
A fancy-link coin pendant bracelet, mid 20th century
Estimate: £4,500 - £5,500
Auction: 23 October 2024 From 14:00 BST
Description
The flattened curb-link bracelet, suspending a large 50 Pesos coin, dated 1821-1947, within a pierced frame, lengths: pendant 6.1cm, bracelet 19.3cm
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.
