15th Sep, 2026 10:00
The September Auctions
21
The Harbour Lights: an early 19th Century multi-gem set hair ornament
The Harbour Lights: an early 19th Century multi-gem set hair ornament in the form of a small tiara, set with a large oval mixed cut sapphire, approximately 8.5mm x 7.9mm, flanked by two round cut emeralds and two rubies, set throughout with graduated old cut diamonds, approximately 7.5cm long, approximately 17.9g, together with a note stating 'The Harbour Lights, left to my mother by her grandmother, Charlotte Lady Ebury'
Provenance:Lady Ebury (Charlotte Arbuthnot Wellesley Grosvenor, 1808–1891). Daughter of Henry Wellesley, 1st Baron Cowley, and the niece of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington.
Footnote:According to family tradition, worn by a member of the family at the Congress of Vienna (1814-1815). Arthur Wellesley was the leader of the British delegation from 1815. While European monarchs and statesmen negotiated borders by day, the nights were filled with endless balls, banquets, and masquerades hosted by the Austrian court to entertain and the delegates and their entourages. The colour of stones in the ornament may represent the countries of the Congress of Vienna (Russia: Green, Great Britain: Red, Prussia and France: Blue, and Austria: White)
Sold for £38,000
The Harbour Lights: an early 19th Century multi-gem set hair ornament in the form of a small tiara, set with a large oval mixed cut sapphire, approximately 8.5mm x 7.9mm, flanked by two round cut emeralds and two rubies, set throughout with graduated old cut diamonds, approximately 7.5cm long, approximately 17.9g, together with a note stating 'The Harbour Lights, left to my mother by her grandmother, Charlotte Lady Ebury'
Lady Ebury (Charlotte Arbuthnot Wellesley Grosvenor, 1808–1891). Daughter of Henry Wellesley, 1st Baron Cowley, and the niece of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington.
According to family tradition, worn by a member of the family at the Congress of Vienna (1814-1815). Arthur Wellesley was the leader of the British delegation from 1815. While European monarchs and statesmen negotiated borders by day, the nights were filled with endless balls, banquets, and masquerades hosted by the Austrian court to entertain and the delegates and their entourages. The colour of stones in the ornament may represent the countries of the Congress of Vienna (Russia: Green, Great Britain: Red, Prussia and France: Blue, and Austria: White)
General wear and tear commensurate with age
Some evidence of repair
See images for detail
Unknown maker
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Auction: The September Auctions, 15th Sep, 2026
Viewing
Sunday 13th September
10am - 4pm
Monday 14th September
9am - 4pm
