Inspired by his relationship with Indian royalty--the Parisian jeweler's clients included various maharajahs starting in 1911--Cartier created a series of Mughal-influenced pieces for Westerners.

FORBES: Rock Stars

Correspondents say that while most tiger hunting was carried out on elephant-back, some Indian maharajahs, or "great kings" of princely states took things to the extreme.

BBC: Indian tiger hunting Rolls Royce is for sale

Ms. de Taillac splits her time between Paris and Jaipur, where she works with artisans who use methods dating back to the maharajahs, and she has stores in Tokyo and Paris.

WSJ: 20 Odd Questions for Marie-H��l��ne de Taillac