HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCESS MARGARET, COUNTESS OF SNOWDON (1930-2002) PERSONAL DESK SEAL
A FINE 19TH CENTURY SMOKY QUARTZ AND DIAMOND-SET DESK SEAL
£6,930
Auction: 17 October 2023 from 10:00 BST
Description
The facetted baluster smoky quartz handle to an openwork diamond-set collar and domed mount, circular smoky quartz matrix engraved with a script initial M, accompanied by leather folio and certificate of provenance from Christie's, London
Dimensions
Length: 6.1cm, matrix 1.2cm
Provenance
Provenance:
Silver, Furniture And Works Of Art From The Collection Of H.R.H. The Princess Margaret, Countess Of Snowdon, Christies London 14th June 2006, lot 459
Literature:
Matrix: A Collection of British Seals - David Morris 2012- Seal 21, page 61
Footnote
Note:
Princess Margaret (1930-2002) was born at Glamis Castle in Scotland, the youngest daughter of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother. In the post-war years she became one of the world's most celebrated socialites, famed for her glamourous lifestyle and reputed romances.
Margaret met her husband photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones at a party in 1958 and following their marriage in 1960, they had two children together. A loving mother, Princess Margaret was also involved with more than 80 charities and organisations. Among them, she served as president of the NSPCC and president of the Royal Ballet.
Following the breakdown of her marriage, Margaret never remarried, preferring to spend a large majority of her time in her home in Mustique, Les Jolies Eaux. In the final decades of her life, she remained committed to the philanthropic causes and organisations, but her health began to deteriorate and she passed away in 2002 after her fourth stroke.
Due to a significant tax bill, her children offered a collection of her belongings for sale. The 2006 Christie's auction attracted much attention and achieved over £ 14,000,000.
The two-day sale included furniture, silver, works of art, jewellery and decorative objects, all from the private collection of Her Royal Highness The Princess Margaret Countess Of Snowdon. We are delighted to offer one of the seals that formed part of this auction.
It had been suggested at the time of the auction, but has not been proven since, that this seal was a personal gift from Queen Mary, Princess Margaret’s grandmother, to her. The simple M could relate to either and the piece being made earlier than Margaret’s lifetime again would suggest a family piece. This seal therefore likely belonged to two generations of royals and the simple engraved italic M rather than a crest, or full armorial suggests that it was a much more personal seal and would have been used for intimate and personal correspondence.