Alphonse Auger established himself as a jeweller in Paris in 1862, initially supplying important French firms, and then developing a company reputation for highly prized works of art and royal regalia, such as swords of honour and tiaras.

This particular piece, designed around the central detachable motif of the marquise's coronet, would probably have originally been made for a European marchioness. The size, form and components, that is of a small and highly curved sapphire-set coronet, recall the fashion set by Queen Victoria in the celebrated 1842 portrait by Winterhalter, where the young Queen is painted wearing her little tiara at the back of her head over her bun.