A late 19th century pearl and diamond brooch, the large pearl set within clusters of old-cut

A late 19th century pearl and diamond brooch, the large pearl set within clusters of old-cut diamonds in foliate silver and gold collets with engraved decoration to reverse, length 4.4cm, case

Accompanied by SSEF report no. 81686, dated 27th August 2015, stating that the pearl is natural saltwater, weighing 28.716 carats and measuring 17.33-17.80 x 13.35mm.

Provenance: formerly in the collection of Nancy Witcher Langhorne Astor, Viscountess Astor (1879-1964), MP for Plymouth, of Cliveden, Buckinghamshire.

The pearl and diamond brooch originally belonged to Nancy Witcher Langhorne Astor, Viscountess Astor (1879-1964). Destined to become the first female Member of Parliament and one of the great society hostesses of her day, Nancy was born in Danville, Virginia, in the United States. She moved to England in 1905, having fallen in love with the country during a visit following the breakdown of her first marriage. Here, she met her second husband William Waldorf Astor, 2nd Viscount Astor (1879-1952). They were married in 1906 and received Cliveden as a wedding present from his father. Nancy soon became a prominent society hostess from her new lavish Buckinghamshire estate, as well as their grand St James's Square house, now the Naval and Military Club. Her charismatic personality and independent nature is wonderfully captured in her portrait illustrated here, painted in 1908 by the great society painter John Singer Sargent (1856–1925) and now in the National Trust collection at Cliveden. She was elected to the House of Commons in 1919, where she remained the Conservative MP for Plymouth for twenty-five years, championing education reform and women's rights. Later in her political career, she also held the role of Lady Mayoress of Plymouth from 1939 until the end of the Second World War. Known for her wit and combative spirit, Nancy also had a great love of finery.