Cartier: Style and History

Until Feb. 16, the Grand Palais in Paris is home to a major

and spectacular exhibition on the famous French jewelry

house: Cartier.  

Going beyond the prestige associated with the brand's

jewelry collections and iconic watches, the “Cartier: Style

and History” exhibition will highlight Cartier’s prominent

role in the history of the decorative arts. 

                                       A 1958 Panther bracelet

                                     of diamonds and sapphires

                                                          PHOTO BY N. WELSH                                           

Jeanne Toussaint modelling   

for a fashion magazine   

in the 1920's   

PHOTO BY BARON ADOLPH DE MEYER… 

Cartier designs, from classic pieces worthy of the “kings’ jeweler” to radical Art Deco creations, both geometrical and exotic, are an intriguing testimony to the changes in taste and social codes. Cartier seduced the most elegant personalities of the 20th century with jewelry, clocks and watches, and refined yet practical objects.

A 1957 brooch of

diamonds and rubies

“The Cartier: Style and History”exhibition shows the jeweler’s creations in the context of changing usages and styles. The history of the house of Cartier from its foundation in 1847 until the 1970s is an opportunity to open the door to a laboratory of forms and enter into the workings of a sophisticated company which creates jewelery and accessories for their intrinsic beauty as well as for their social function. 

The exhibition presents several emblematic figures in Cartier’s history: important customers, actresses, heiresses or princesses (Barbara Hutton, Marlene Dietrich, Liz Taylor, Maria Félix, Kate Middleton … ), maharajahs from the Indies or trendsetters from various periods who left their mark on history (Daisy Fellowes, Mona Bismarck, the Duchess of Windsor … ).

    Cartier Halo tiara

    worn by Kate Middleton

      PHOTO BY ROYAL COLLECTION TRUST / HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II

(1) A 1936 Hindu necklace of diamonds, emeralds, sapphires and rubies, made for trendsetter Mrs. Daisy Fellowes. PHOTO BY N. WELSH, COLLECTION CARTIER

array(2) A 1914 Cartier diadem of diamonds and pearls. PHOTO BY N. WELSH, COLLECTION CARTIER

array(3) A diamond crocodile necklace, made for actress Maria Félix in 1975. PHOTO BY V. WULVERYCK, COLLECTION CARTIER

. . .

“Cartier: Style and History” is on display at the Grand Palais until Feb. 16, 2014; grandpalais.fr