Lot 448: DIAMOND TIARA/COLLIER DE CHIEN, CARTIER PARIS, 1906

Designed as a graduated series of open work formal scrolls and garlands of floral and foliate decoration, millegrain-set throughout with cushion-shaped, rose- and circular-cut diamonds, one small diamond deficient, length approximately 270mm.

The jewel is accompanied by a red leather and velvet tiara case and a fitted blue leather and velvet case which holds an articulated devant de corsage/hair ornament frame and a clip brooch fitting. The three graduated diamond drops that form the finials of the tiara may be detached and used as drop pendants at the centres of the three main formal scrolls. Furthermore, the two end scrolls detach to from a brooch with the corresponding fitting and may be highlighted at the centres with the two matching detachable diamond drops. The jewel is also accompanied by two rows of graduated diamonds of foliate and ribbon bow motifs, to use as the choker necklace back. Two screw drivers are provided to use for the conversions.

PROVENANCE

The item was bought from Sotheby's Milan, 21st October 2003, from the sale of Arredi, Dipinti e Gioielli dalle Collezioni di una Signora Milanese, lot 379, simply as a collier de chien. It was subsequently researched and is now supplied with the tiara, articulated devant de corsage/hair ornament and clip brooch fittings that are now included in the sale of this lot.

NOTE

Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity from Cartier, no GE2004-62, dated 23/4/2004, stating that the item illustrated and described in the report is a genuine Cartier item. It is further stated that the choker necklace of platinum and diamonds was originally a tiara by Cartier Paris, 1906.