Lot 205, An antique pearl, sapphire and diamond tiara, circa 1880. Estimate £6,000 - £8,000 ($11,220 - $14,960). Price Realized £11,950 ($22,347). Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2004.

Designed as five graduating pearl and sapphire-set sprays and diamond-set scroll motifs, centring on a diamond-set marquise's coronet, mounted in silver and gold, with six brooch fittings, five hairpin fittings and a screwdriver, each spray and coronet detachable, circa 1880, inner circumference 17.0 cm., in fitted maroon leather Auger case stamped with a count's coronet 

Notes: 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.

CHRISTIE'S. IMPORTANT JEWELLERY, 24 November 2004, London, King Street