Pierre Sterlé was born in 1905 into a family of financiers. After his father’s death during World War I, he was placed under the guardianship of his uncle, a jeweler, who taught him the rudiments of the trade. In 1934, he established his own business in Paris and, from 1934-39, he created jewelry for notable houses such as Boucheron and Chaumet. He was the first jeweler invited to the Biennale des Antiquaires and his firm remained open until 1976. Chaumet bought the stock at this time and Pierre Sterlé became an artistic advisor.

Sterlé’s jewels are known for their innovative workmanship and creative use of gemstones; flora and fauna being the house’s main inspiration. One of their most celebrated designs is the bird motif. These incredible brooches evoke fantasy and sculptural movement. Lots 246 and 247 exemplify the strength of design that made Sterlé famous and is an iconic jewel of this inspirational firm.