Model's jewels go under the hammer for Durrell

Tuesday 25 November 2014

Durrell is set to benefit from another unique collection of precious natural wonders when the jewellery collection of a swinging sixties fashion model and centrefold are auctioned in Sydney today.

Jewellery belonging to a the late German-born model Uta Pearson goes under the hammer in Australia today and could fetch around £50,000 to help the wildlife trust’s efforts saving animals from extinction.

It was her final wish that her assets be liquidated with the proceeds going to Durrell, the charity she had been helping to support since the 1970‘s. She committed to a lifetime membership in 1999 and as a regular donor, contributed significant amounts to the Trust’s St. Lucia parrot captive breeding and reintroduction programme throughout the 1980’s.

One of her long-time friends, Vaughan Cottle, said that Miss Pearson was a keen supporter of Durrell's work - and that she cajoled her friends into putting their hands in their pockets too.

He said: “She was quite the character, and not afraid to coerce her friends into donating, as she’d often leave herself short to make sure that animals in Gerald Durrell’s care were provided for."

Miss Pearson died in Adelaide earlier this year at the age of 74 but her love of wildlife and animals and collecting art can still be seen today throughout the 85-piece collection.

It includes antique diamond butterly brooches and spiders, snake bracelets, Art Nouveau diamond encrusted bats and coloured diamond animals made into rings

The jewellery is being auctioned by Bonhams in Sydney.