LONDON.- A ruby and diamond ring, circa 1910, that belonged to the poet, novelist and gardener, Vita Sackville-West will be offered in Bonhams Fine Jewellery sale on 13th April in New Bond Street. The step-cut ruby within an oval pierced surround of marquis-cut diamonds is estimated to sell for £3,000 – 4,000.

No stranger to scandal, Vita Sackville-West is best remembered for her unorthodox marriage to the writer and diplomat Sir Harold Nicholson and her affair with Virginia Wolf. She married Harold Nicholson in 1913 and the couple decided to have an open marriage, which resulted in both having numerous affairs, although they remained very close and had two children.

Having had relationships with her sister in law, journalists and novelists, in the 1920s Vita Sackville-West became romantically involved with the writer Virginia Woolf, who celebrated the love affair in her novel Orlando (1928). Dedicated to Sackville-West, the book traces the history of the youthful, beautiful, and aristocratic Orlando, and explores the themes of sexual ambiguity.

A writer herself, Vita was made a Companion of Honour for her services to literature in 1946.

Vita Sackville-West was also renowned for creating some of the most admired and influential English Gardens of the 20th century at her home, Sissinghurst Castle, Kent that she bought with her husband in 1930 and became a founder member of the National Trust’s Garden committee.

Vita gave the ring offered by Bonhams to her private secretary, Mrs Betty Arnett on her death in 1962. The ring is also accompanied by copes of letters from Sackville-West to Mrs Arnett.