Baroness Margaret Thatcher: A Chaumet shagreen handbag

Baroness Margaret Thatcher: A Chaumet shagreen handbag
Of envelope design in simulated ray skin with dark grey leather trim and interior, the clasp with 18ct gold fitting set with a cabochon sapphire, with 18ct gold fancy chain shoulder strap and original maker's azure leather-bound case, bearing lettering in Baroness Thatcher's hand 'Grey dress bag', French assay marks to clasp and chain, 22cm wide x 16cm high.

Christie's: Mrs Thatcher - Property From The Collection Of The Right Honourable The Baroness Thatcher Of Kesteven, 15 December 2015, lot 38.

Purchased by the Daily Mail Newspaper, thence by competition entry to the present vendor.

In December 2015, the Daily Mail newspaper purchased eight lots from Christie's auction Mrs Thatcher - Property From The Collection Of The Right Honourable The Baroness Thatcher Of Kesteven, including five handbags and three head scarves, totalling some £50,000. Each item then became a prize in reader competitions held in the following months. The present lot was one of the five handbags and was won by the vendor in March 2016. The inscription in black ink on the side of the maker's box which reads 'Grey "dress" bag', compares with handwriting on record, indicating that it was written by Margaret Thatcher herself and suggesting the bag was reserved for a formal evening occasion.

According to Christie's lot essay, this bag was examined by a specialist at the Natural History Museum, London, who confirmed that it is made of simulated ray skin.

Condition Report

Bag: Negligible signs of use.

Box: Some minor cosmetic marks.

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