Decorative

An Edward VII 18ct Gold and Diamond standing miniature picture frame
Maker: Alfred Clark
City: London – 1904
Fully hallmarked as per image with inscription Clark, 55 New Bond Street

The oval frame surmounted with seventy-five pave-set old cut diamonds forming the initials VEA, the frame surrounded with scrolls, enclosing a portrait  of a young girl
11cm high, 9,3cm wide, 160g all in

The portrait is of Veronica Evelyn Albu, (1902-1970) daughter of Adelaide Burton and Leopold Albu, and painted when she was two years old. Veronica’s father was the brother of George Albu, a Randlord who, together with his brother Leopold emigrated from Germany and arrived in South Africa in 1876. The brothers moved to the Kimberley diamond fields, accumulated substantial interests, and sold to De Beers. In 1891 Leopold moved to Johannesburg where he and his brother established the General Mining and Finance Corporation which after merging with Federale Mynbou in the 1960s eventually became BHP Billiton. Leopold’s brother George became the First Baronet of Johannesburg in 1912 and owned the Herbert Baker home Northwards in Parktown. He was the Danish Consul General to Johannesburg and was decorated with the Order of Dannebrog