One of the world’s most revered jewelers since the 19th century, Cartier has created many exceptional pieces, often representative of the periods they were created and noteworthy for their revolutionary design or innovative use of gemstones.
A new $1,200 book out Oct. 10 from luxury publisher Assouline, Cartier: The Impossible Collection, highlights 100 such objects. Here are some memorable jewels and images within the 224-page book, which has text by Hervé Dewintre.
After Cartier began incorporating semiprecious stones into important pieces in the 1920s, its designs included unusual shapes appealing to modernists and surrealists of the time, as seen on this tiara.
An emerald brooch from 1948 marked the first time Cartier’s panthère was depicted in a three-dimensional, realistic way.
Today, Cartier’s iconic felines show movement and elegance through craftsmanship.
A big cat named Kali was photographed by Jean Larivière for Égoïste magazine in 2000 perusing the window of Cartier’s Paris boutique on Rue de la Paix.
Alain Dominique Perrin, the head of Cartier, had this watch designed for his friend Thierry Sabine, founder of the Paris–Dakar Rally, in 1985. It was inspired by the rally’s logo that features a North African head wrap.
A current example of Cartier’s bold and beautiful designs, this sapphire and emerald ring from 2022 explores the interactions of a variety of shapes and colors.
The Hope Diamond was acquired by Cartier in 1910 and currently resides at the Smithsonian Institution, where it is admired by the public daily.
This Panther necklace uses an ancient intaglio technique that requires extraordinary skill and precision to achieve the proper dimensional carving and polishing of the gem.
French socialite and fashion icon Daisy Fellowes commissioned this version of the Tutti Frutti, a style introduced by Cartier in the 1920s.
An articulated necklace circa 2022 bursts with emeralds (including the 35+ ct. pendant) and turquoise, set with diamonds.
Top: The cover of Cartier: The Impossible Collection, published by Assouline (photos courtesy of Assouline)
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