RUBY AND DIAMOND ROYAL CYPHER PENDANT, CIRCA 1905-10
The old brilliant and old single-cut diamond 'E' for King Edward VII interlocking with a calibré-cut ruby 'A' for Queen Alexandra, beneath a red enamel, old brilliant and rose-cut diamond crown, within a garland of laurel leaves and ribbon bows, set throughout with old brilliant, old single and rose-cut diamonds, accented by cushion-shaped and circular-cut rubies, terminating in an old brilliant-cut diamond drop, suspended from a rose-cut diamond surmount, millegrain detail throughout, on a later flattened curb-link chain, lengths: pendant 5.3cm, chain 51.7cm
Footnotes:
Provenance:
Charles Carter (1869-1952), thence by decent.

This pendant was given to the racehorse trainer, Charles Carter, by King Edward VII (1841-1910) and Queen Alexandra (1844-1925). The Carters were one of the most distinguished English horse racing families in France.

The family originated in the village of Peckleton, Leicestershire. Thomas 'Genius' Carter (1805-1879), was the first to make a name for himself on French turf having been invited to France by Lord Seymour in 1831. The Carters went on to dominate the Bois and later Chantilly for over a century. They were instrumental in building the reputation and success of Chantilly in addition to increasing the fortunes of their clients.

Members of the Carter family have an unparalleled record, having collectively won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe five times, the Grand Prix de Paris on sixteen, the Prix de Diane twenty-three times and the Prix du Jockey Club a total of twenty-seven times. In 1920, Charles Carter's horse, 'Troytown', won the Grand National.

Black and white photographs © Courtesy of Charles Carter's descendants.