A DIAMOND owl once belonging to a Prime Minister’s grandson has sold at auction for almost £20,000.

The 20th century diamond and sapphire set owl brooch pin has body and wings pave set throughout with ‘graduated old and rose-cut diamonds’.

It was estimated to sell for between £2,500 and £3,500 at Mallams Auctioneers in Oxford, on Wednesday, but in fact sold for £19,000.

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The lot was from the estate of the late Edward Baldwin, grandson of Stanley Baldwin, who served as Prime Minister on three occasions between the world wars.

Louise Dennis, head of jewellery and watches at Mallams, said: “The naturalistically modelled owl contains over 2ct of old cut diamonds, but crucially it was beautifully produced by Giuliano – the renowned Knightsbridge jewellers.”

Carlo and Arthur Giuliano inherited their feather’s jewellery business in 1895, and in 1912, relocated to Knightsbridge.

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This story was written by Liam Rice, he joined the team in 2019 as a multimedia reporter.

Liam covers politics, travel and transport. He occasionally covers Oxford United.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Liam.rice@newsquest.co.uk

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