A pearl and diamond tiara, by Jean Lombard. Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2013

Designed as nine undulating old-cut diamond crests with pearl finials, mounted in gold, made in 1960. Signed Lombard. Estimate CHF20,000 – CHF30,000

Please note that the pearls have not been tested for natural origin

Notes: The well-known Geneva jeweller Jean Lombard (1912-1988) opened his premises in 1936. Not long after the Second World War he befriended Carl Théodor Fabergé, the grandson of Peter Carl Fabergé, they were to cooperate during the next twenty years. Inspired by the Renaissance, he created imaginative jewellery with splendour and love for detail. He was also known for giving old jewellery a new life.
Jean Lombard entertained the best connections to the Russian nobility and received Prince Felix Youssoupov, when the prince was living in exile and forced to sell his family jewels, including the famous La Pelegrina pearl in 1953. Many refined and knowledgeable collectors counted among Lombard's clients and he was jeweller to Her Majesty the Queen Frederica of Greece and His Majesty the King Farouk of Egypt.

The present pearl tiara was commissioned by an Italian Countess in 1960.

Christie's. MAGNIFICENT JEWELS. 15 May 2013. Geneva