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RAPAPORT... Bonhams London's sale of jewels from novelist Barbara Taylor Bradford achieved $2 million (GBP 1,229,250) on December 5. Bradford's collection included 40 pieces given to her by her husband Robert Bradford. The couple will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Christmas Eve. Each piece was accompanied by a short description of its history, as told by the author, including personal details such as when she was given them and why.  Matthew Girling, Bonhams CEO for the U.K. and Europe, said, "Bonhams is honored to have been chosen by Barbara Taylor Bradford to auction her very personal collection of jewelry and we are delighted with the success of the sale." The top lot was a magnificent 14.07-carat, G, VS1 cushion-shape diamond ring (pictured) by David Morris, which was sold to a bidder on the telephone for $730,295. The ring was given to Barbara as birthday present by Robert, who said at the time, "When you wear this, you don't need any other jewelry." A spectacular Harry Winston sapphire and diamond ring sold for $298,497 and a 19th-century sapphire and diamond brooch achieved a sales price of $190,457, nearly twice the presale estimate. Barbara said, "I am delighted with the result of the sale and wish those who were lucky enough to have bought a piece of my jewelry as much joy from it as I have had. "The jewelry has been part of my life for such a long time but I'm glad it will begin a new chapter, with a new owner, in a new home. Beautiful things need to be displayed and admired and I'm so pleased that the jewelry will live again and be cherished and enjoyed. That's how it should be," she said.
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