As you might have guessed, I have more than a keen interest in style, design and colour – so my recent visit to the Cartier exhibition at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra was a real treat. It is a beautifully curated wonderland of sparkling jewels, exquisite timepieces and luxury items. Every piece was meticulously created and crafted for royalty, celebrities and society’s elite.
The exhibition finishes on the 22ndof July and is definitely worth seeing.
Here are some of my favourite pieces:
Necklaces
The Nizam of Hyderabad was a gift from the Indian prince to the Queen for her marriage in 1947.
The 1955 Bib necklace features plaited gold, brilliant cut diamonds and turquoise cabochons
1936 Necklace boasting total of 198.45 carats of emerald-cut peridots!
Mystery Clocks
These Asian-inspired Cartier Mystery Clocks give the illusion of floating minute and hour hands. All of the mechanisms that move the two hands are made from transparent clear crystal – amazing!
Chimera Mystery Clock 1926
Striking mystery clock with deity 1931 – 19th century Chinese white jade
Stunning Tiaras
There were so many beautiful tiaras on display at the Cartier exhibition that I found it difficult to decide which ones to show you. I chose these four because of their intricacy of design and the amazing coloured stones.
This 1905 tiara features 7 pear shaped diamonds
Diamond and aquamarine tiara 1937
Tiara 1932: baguette-cut diamonds and emerald-cut citrines
Indian tiara, 1923. Platinum, diamonds, sapphires and pearls
Brooches
Lace ribbon brooch 1906
Cartier Palm Tree Clip Brooch
Uma Thurman wore this Bird Brooch to the Met Gala in 2016
Cartier and Celebrity Glamour
For me, the Twentieth-Century Icons room personalised the exhibition. The photos and stories of celebrities and royals, and the special pieces Cartier had made for them, really bought the pieces to life.
Grace Kelly
Wallis Simpson wears her Cartier peacock brooch
Elizabeth Taylor
If you’ve enjoyed this article I have also written articles on luxury brands Hermes and Dior.
Here are the links: ‘Hermes at Work’ Exhibition: Artisans share their talents and skills
and
Australia and the House of Dior 70 Years On
