Created between 1912 and 1915, this very rare steel and diamond tiara was designed by Cartier. It bears the maker’s mark of Atelier Henri Picq, manufacturers of some of the most exceptional jewellery of the beginning of the 20th century. This tiara was not only designed by one of the greatest Maisons of all time, but it was also crafted by one of the best workshops in the world at that time.
This superb example of Cartier's unique talent was retailed by Robert Koch, who started his jewellery business in 1879, opening shops in Frankfurt and Baden Baden. They became famous all over Germany for providing Europe Royal courts and high nobility with fantastic head ornaments at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century.
In 1921 it was purchased at Koch in Baden Baden by the heir of the Von Fürstenberg Family on the occasion of his marriage to Franziska Ida Mena Countess Nostitz-Rieneck. It stayed in the family until it was first auctioned in 2015.