Brooches inspired by stained glass shown at palace

Two diamond-encrusted Cartier brooches once owned by millionaire socialite Virginia Courtauld are going on display for the first time at her former palace home in south-east London.

Eltham Palace, a former Tudor royal residence, was transformed in the 1930s with art-deco features by Ms Courtauld and her husband Stephen.

The falcon and white Tudor rose brooches have a similar design to stained glass windows in the palace and were given as "a deeply personal gift from husband to wife", English Heritage said.

The charity's head collections curator, Kevin Booth, said it was "wonderful" the jewellery had found its way home after they were bought at auction.

He added: "Virginia Courtauld's beautiful, Cartier diamond and gem-set brooches epitomise the glamorous, modern spirit that Stephen and Virginia brought to Eltham Palace.

"The brooches perfectly bring together the old in the form of Edward IV's cyphers, and the new with a 1930s palette of pink tourmaline and blue sapphire, which is exactly what Virginia and Stephen set out to do at Eltham.

"The brooches are not only significant as pieces of high-quality Cartier workmanship, but as a deeply personal gift from husband to wife."

The Courtaulds took over the lease of the palace in 1933 and restored it.

They retained a great hall built for Edward IV in the 1470s, which has stained glass windows that are mimicked on the brooches.

The couple commissioned the great hall windows to include Edward's cyphers.

The jewellery, which was given as a gift from Sir Stephen in 1937, depicts the cyphers of Edward IV, including the white rose of York upon the starburst, known as Rose en Soleil, and a falcon in a fetterlock shackle.

English Heritage believes the brooches were worn by Lady Courtauld when she entertained guests.

They were bought for £19,000 at auction with a grant from the Art Fund, and a contribution from the Wolfson Foundation.

Eltham Palace was the childhood home of King Henry VIII, and was used by Tudor monarchs as a royal residence.

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