Diamond tiara, circa 1905

Designed as a series of seven graduated circles millegrain-set with rose stones, each inset with a rose and circular-cut diamond wreath, to a cushion-shaped diamond center set in cut-down collets, further decorated by foliate motifs similarly-set,

By family tradition, this tiara was acquired in Copenhagen in connection with a visit of Kaiser Wilhelm II. Dr. Victor Parry Amadeus Graf Henckel von Donnersmarck (1854-1916) was envoyé extraordinaire et ministre plénipotentiaire at the German Embassy in Copenhagen, a location frequently visited by Wilhelm II during his yearly trips to the North of Europe (Norlandreisen) on board of his yacht Hohenzollern. Etiquette in those days required ladies to wear tiaras not only at Court, but also at formal occasions and certainly an event at the presence of the Kaiser would have made wearing a tiara mandatory.

The Henckel von Donnersmarck is an old family from Silesia. Lazarus II Henckel von Donnersmarck (1573-1664) was created Baron of the Holy Roman Empire by Emperor Ferdinand II, Ratisbon 18th December 1636. The title of Count Henckel, of the Holy Roman Empire with the qualification of  "Hoch und Wohlgeboren" for the same Lazarus II by Emperor Ferdinand III, Innsbruck 23rd July 1651.Title of Count (Graf) Henckel of Bohemia for the same by the Emperor and King of Bohemia Leopold I, Vienna 5th March