Old Cut diamond brooch, attributed to Koch, German, circa 1910.

From an old German collection.

This brooch is in excellent condition.

Founded in Frankfurt in 1879 by Robert Koch, the house quickly earned a reputation for superior craftsmanship. Often described as “the Cartier of Germany”, Koch created exquisite tiaras and ceremonial jewels for the German imperial family and some of Europe’s most distinguished royal courts.
When Robert’s brother, Louis, joined the business they opened a second establishment in Baden-Baden in the 1880s, which brought the house closer to the fashionable resort’s aristocratic clientele. Beyond the business, Louis and his wife Alice pursued a fascination with rings, forming a distinguished and studied collection which has since been expanded by successive generations and is now exhibited at the National Museum in Zurich.
The upheavals surrounding the Second World War brought an end to the Jewish founding family’s stewardship of Koch. The house continued under new ownership after the war, but it is their earlier jewels remain a lasting testament to the family’s artistry and legacy.
While many of their pieces remained in European royal and noble collections for generations, a number of important Koch pieces have only begun to reappear at in recent years. Koch’s Belle Époque and early 20th century creations are rarely encountered on the market today and are especially prized when they surface.