Two dance purses that once belonged to Princess Diana’s grandmother Countess Spencer are up for auction – Tatler

Cynthia Spencer, Countess Spencer

National Portrait Gallery / Wikimedia Commons

A pair of unique dancing purses that once held the lipstick and compact of Diana, Princess of Wales' grandmother, Countess Spencer, are up for auction in Cambridge.

The rare items, which are called 'ncessaires', would have been used by the Countess during dances and other social occasions. While one is made from 9ct gold and constructed in chain maille, the other is a gilt metal in a similar style, with both estimated to fetch 1,000-1,500.

A mesh style dance purse, owned by Cynthia, Countess Spencer

Cheffins

Explaining the significance of the sale, Steven Collins, Jewellery, Silver and Watches Specialist at Cheffins says: 'Since the Roaring Twenties many of the fine jewellers and fashion houses have produced delicate evening bags and vanity cases known as ncessaires. They were small, usually hard-sided boxes, often exquisitely decorated and designed to contain such things as a powder compact, lipstick, comb, mirror, note card and pencil. Some also had separate sections to hold book matches and individual cigarettes. These came about in the time of hedonism; air travel, cocktail parties, Hollywood and excitement and these became the new must-have item of any self-respecting lady of the time and typified the optimism and new found freedoms for women of the era.

'Ncessaires are rare to the auction market and are collected mainly by those who buy powder compacts and other dressing table items, or by followers of a certain jewellery maker from a certain period. The fine Art Deco varieties made of precious metals and with gemstones are very desirable, but often people here are collecting designs by the maker, rather than the item. The ultimate in desirability for these are from the mid-1920s, made by some of the biggest names of the period such as Cartier, Boucheron or Chaumet. With these items, its all about both maker and provenance. Anything with a royal or celebrity link will add to its cachet and can increase the value exponentially.'

The 7th Earl Spencer with Cynthia and their son Edward John Spencer at Eton College, 1937

Topical Press Agency / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Born Cynthia Ellinor Beatrix Hamilton in 1897, she married Viscount Althorp in 1919, and became the then Queen Elizabeth's Lady of the Bedchamber in 1937. When the Queen's daughter, previously the Princess Elizabeth, ascended to the throne, Cynthia continued to work for the now Queen Mother, until her death.

Also in the sale is a purse that belonged to Diana's aunt, Lady Anne Spencer, emblazoned with 'Anne' and engraved with 'From household staff, Althorp, 4th August 1941', leading the auctioneers to speculate it was a 21st birthday present.

One of the dance purses to be sold at auction, owned by Lady Anne Spencer

Cheffins

Available at the Cheffins Jewellery, Silver and Watches Sale 26 August at Cheffins in Cambridge.

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Two dance purses that once belonged to Princess Diana's grandmother Countess Spencer are up for auction - Tatler