Two breathtaking pieces of Tiger Jewellery by Cartier- a bracelet fashioned like a regal tiger walking with mesmerizing emerald eyes and a brooch designed like a resting smaller tiger with onyx and diamond- will go under the hammer at the Magnificent Jewels auction at Christie’s in Geneva on November 11 as one lot with a combined estimate of US$ 1,800,000-2,500,000.  With the sale of the Cartier Tiger Collection that has been a highlight of 20^th century jewellery design since it first appeared in 1928, a bit of romantic history and legend will also be offered, having been owned first by Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor and later by Sarah Brightman, the world’s biggest selling soprano once married to composer Andrew Lloyd Webber.

The Tiger Jewellery by Cartier combines two romantic tales and is viewed as symbols of love. The pieces were first bought of King Edward V111, Duke of Windsor and Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor from Cartier between 1956 and 1959.  Their love and marriage is by known legendary, King Edward V111 had to make a choice as continuing as king of England or giving it up to marry Wallis Simpson. He chose love and abdicated in 1936 after being king for less than a year. After marriage and living in France, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor they built an impressive collection of avant-garde jewels that defined the style of the 1940s and 1950s.

Almost three decades later in 1987 the Duchess of Windsor’s collection were auctioned at the legendary sale in Geneva, the most valuable collection of jewellery ever auctioned at the time. The collection on sale included a total of seven Great Cats pieces by Cartier including the two Tiger pieces that will be auctioned on November 11. It was at this auction that Andrew Lloyd Webber bought the two Tiger pieces for his then wife, Sarah Brightman. The two Tigers were his present to her to celebrate the huge London and Broadway success of ‘The Phantom of the Opera’, which he wrote and in which she starred.

The sale offer of the stunning creations is ascribed to ‘ over the years, the jewels have brought immense joy to Sarah Brighton, who would now like to release them to new splendor in order for others to appreciate them as she did’.  A portion of the proceeds from the sale will be offered to The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, which supports the arts, music in school, The Architectural Heritage Fund and awards 30 performing arts scholarship annually.