The tiara, a striking example of Cartier’s early 20th-century design, features old brilliant, single, and rose-cut diamonds, centred around a principal old brilliant-cut diamond. It also includes three fluted turquoise plumes with diamond-set stems, showcasing a blend of motifs drawn from Egyptian, Indian, and Persian influences — hallmarks of Cartier’s Art Deco era.
Nancy Astor, born in 1879 in the United States, made history in 1919 when she became the first woman to take a seat in the British House of Commons. She was known for her pioneering role in advancing women’s rights, including advocating for raising the legal drinking age and lowering the voting age for women. Beyond politics, she was also a prominent social figure, known for hosting elite gatherings at her estate in Buckinghamshire.
The tiara had not surfaced on the market since it was originally purchased from Cartier in 1930 by Lord Astor. Its recent sale underscores both its historical significance and the enduring appeal of vintage Cartier masterpieces.
