An exceptionally rare jewel of historic and artistic significance, the Astor Turquoise and Diamond Tiara by Cartier, circa 1930 – once owned by Nancy, Viscountess Astor (1879–1964) – and presented by The Jewellery Trading Room has been awarded ‘Best Object’ at the LAPADA 2025 Excellence Awards.
The tiara, a masterpiece of Eastern-inspired design and technical brilliance, was crafted by Cartier London and adapted from an earlier circa 1915 diamond bandeau. A symbol of her distinctive style and status, Lady Astor wore the tiara to social occasions including the 1931 premiere of City Lights, as pictured with Charlie Chaplin.
So admired was the design that in 1935 Nancy Astor’s brother-in-law, the Hon. Robert Henry Brand, commissioned Cartier to create a second turquoise and diamond tiara – this version is now displayed at the V&A Museum’s Cartier exhibition.
LAPADA 2025 Excellence Awards were decided by a high-profile panel from across the arts world. Panel members include Hartwig Fisher, Director of World Cultures Museum in Saudi Arabia, Christina Trevanion, Auctioneer and Antiques Road Trip presenter, Helen Molesworth, Senior Curator of jewellery at the V&A, Nina Campbell OBE, distinguished interior designer and Alexander Kader, former Head of Sculpture for Sotheby’s.
Diamonds
The Astor tiara features crescent, bow and quatrefoil motifs set with old brilliant, single, and rose-cut diamonds (approximately 14.00 carats total) and accented by exquisitely carved turquoise plumes. Mounted in platinum and numbered 1314, the tiara measures 33.5 cm in circumference and 4.7 cm in height and is preserved in its original Cartier case.
Nancy Astor, Viscountess Astor – born Nancy Witcher Langhorne in Danville, Virginia – made history as the first woman to take her seat in the British Parliament, serving from 1919 to 1945. After marrying Waldorf Astor in 1906, she became a celebrated political and social figure at Cliveden, their Buckinghamshire estate.
Cartier’s archives first record the piece in 1929, when English Art Works was commissioned to embellish the existing diamond bandeau with carved turquoise plumes and leaves. Completed in November 1930, it was sold to Viscount Astor a month later. Lady Astor later loaned the tiara to her sister, Phyllis Langhorne Brand, for a court presentation at Buckingham Palace.
The tiara was held by the Astor family before being offered at Bonhams London Jewels in June 2025, almost a century after it was first made. It was acquired at Bonhams by London Jewels and was sold for £889,400.
Exceptional
Elizabeth Shanks, CEO of LAPADA Association, says: “The LAPADA Excellence Awards recognises the most exceptional pieces and presentations at the Fair across a range of categories with a focus onprovenance and curatorial importance across the arts and antiques world.
“The Jewellery Trading Room’s Cartier Tiara illustrates the extensive provenance and world class curatorial significance we seek at the Fair. This winning object, and the others that were shortlisted, demonstrate The Fair’s investment in increasing quality so we can attract significant buyers from new global markets.
“We are grateful and honoured to have such distinguished panel of judges as The Fair’s Excellence Committee, their judgement adds gravitas and significance to the awards presented.”
The winners of the LAPADA Berkeley Square Fair 2025 Excellence Awards are:
Best Stand Award
Made In Britaly
For creative use of tree within marquee
Best Silver Award
Mary Cooke Antiques
Paul Storr, A George III Silver Gilt, Cream Boat. Makers mark of Paul Storr, London, 1812. 8oz in weight.
Best Furniture Award
Lennox Cato
An exceptional quality rectangular satinwood open bookcase with a single drawer. Gilt-metal mounted whole, circa 1785.
Best Fine Art Award
Winsor Birch
Sir Joshua Reynolds, “The Yellow Boy,” Lord George Seymour-Conway, 1770
Honorary Award: Fine Art
James Hyman Gallery
Bill Brandt, Nude, Campden Hill, 1953
Outstanding Object Award
Jewellery Trading Room
Cartier, Astor Turquoise and Diamond Tiara, circa 1930. A rare Eastern-inspired tiara by Cartier London which was adapted from a circa 1915 bandeau.
Best Sculpture Award
Tomasso
A Rare Pair of Italian Terracotta Recumbent Lions, 18th century
Honorary Award: Sculpture
Paul Vanstone
Rose Torso
Best Ceramics and Glass Award
M&D Moir
GUS Crystal Cameo Vase by GUS Crystal – Russian Glass Produced c. 1908
Honorary Award: Ceramics and Glass
Serhat Ahmet
Textile Doat Vase
Best Antique and Vintage Jewellery Award
A Rakyan Collection
Fontana Sapphire and Diamond Cluster Ring with a natural Kashmir Sapphire of 9.25ct (certified) and ca. 4ct diamonds. Circa 1900s.
Best Haute Jewels Award
Yoko
Windsor 18k Gold South Sea Pearl Diamond Necklace. Adorned with 9-14mm Australian South Sea pearls, suspended by alternating diamonds.
Recognised as London’s leading art and antiques event and the only one supported by a major trade association, LAPADA Berkeley Square Fair brings together many of the world’s most respected dealers and galleries for a curated presentation of fine art, antiques, design and jewellery.
New for the 2025 edition of the Fair is LAPADA’s exclusive partnership with Haute Jewels – the globally acclaimed collective of high jewellery maisons. This collaboration marks Haute Jewels’ first dedicated presence in London and will bring an exceptional curation of international haute joaillerie to Berkeley Square.
See also: The Art of Moving the Extraordinary
