Floral decorations at four cardinal points, set with turquoise and nephrite jade, highlighted with black enamel
Karat gold
Signed Cartier
Photo frame measuring approximately 109 x 75mm
With a Cartier fitted box
Catalogue Essay
Louis and Pierre Cartier were among the greatest admirers of Faberge’s works back at their time. When the Russian jeweller exhibited a selection of exquisite bejewelled decorative objects in the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1900, the Cartier brothers were inspired to create objet d’art in keeping with the taste of the 18th century. The current lot is a fine example of the re-invention of Oriental materials with aesthetic appeal characteristic of European artistry and taste. The combination of blue and green was known to be one of Louis Cartier’s favourite.
With the Constitution of 1848 came a new standard for luxury in France. Founded one year prior by Louis-Francois Cartier, the house of Cartier was one of the first to use platinum in jewelry making. This incredibly expensive material became the stepping-stone for Cartier to experiment in form, mechanisms and attitude. It helped men move from pocket watches to wristwatches, effectively making the watch much more functional and prominent in a man's overall wardrobe.
Cartier did not only touch on functionality. Inspired by a commissioned painting by George Barbier featuring a black panther at the feet of an elegantly bejeweled woman, Cartier began incorporating wild animals in his designs—most notably, Cartier Panthère rings, bangle bracelets and watches. Yet it wasn't until the late 1960s that the house of Cartier debuted their iconic yellow and rose gold LOVE collection, which includes the famous bracelet that only a special screwdriver can open.