Jewellery and Watches

Formerly the Property of Her Royal Highness The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon





A gem-set platinum and chalcedony card case,
attributed to Cartier, circa 1910,

of rectangular form, the clasp and twin hinges of scrolling palmette design, each set with rose-cut diamonds, cabochon emeralds and calibre sapphires, contained in fitted red leather Cartier case, with traces of Cartier address to the inner silk, dimensions 9. 2 x 5.7 x 1.4cm.


Accompanied by the Certificate of Provenance from Kensington Palace, dated 13 June 2006, in original embossed brown leather folder. £4,000-£6,000

Christie’s, Property from the Collection of Her Royal Highness, The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, Sale 14 June 2006, Lot 340.

Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret Rose, born 21 August 1930, was the younger daughter of the Duke and Duchess of York and sister to Princess Elizabeth, the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Born at Glamis, the ancestral home of the Duchess of York, the Princess was the first royal baby to be born in Scotland since the 1600. The family lived in London Piccadilly until 1936, when the abdication of King Edward VIII and the ascension of the Duke of York to King George VI, moved the family to Buckingham Palace and the residences of Windsor Castle, Sandringham House and Balmoral Castle. Now second in line to the throne, Princess Margaret was to live her life in the public eye, becoming one of the world’s most celebrated socialites, iconised for her striking beauty, style and taste.

From an early age the Princess fully engaged with the Royal Family’s public work, becoming patron or president of over eighty organisations, with a particular interest in the fields of welfare and the arts.
On 6 May 1960 the Princess married the photographer Anthony Armstrong-Jones at Westminster Abbey. The following year he was created Earl of Snowdon and Viscount Linley. The couple, went on to have two children; Lord Linley, and Lady Sarah Chatto. The marriage of Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon was dissolved in May 1978. 

The Princess’ later years were plagued by ill health yet despite her struggles the Princess continued to work and support many of her organisations.

Princess Margaret died on 9 February 2002. Her funeral was held on the 50th anniversary of her father’s own funeral and her ashes placed in the Royal Vault in St George's Chapel before being transferred to the tomb of her parents upon the death of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.

Noonans are delighted to offer for sale the following two lots, formerly sold at Christie’s in the historic auction of June 2006.