The V&A museum is hosting a Cartier jewellery exhibition featuring historical pieces that have never been seen publicly. Opening on Saturday and running until November 16, it showcases around 350 pieces, including renowned items linked to various royals and celebrities. Curator Helen Molesworth highlights Cartier’s innovative design legacy and royal connection dating back to 1904.
A captivating Cartier exhibition is set to open at London’s V&A museum, showcasing some of the design house’s most iconic jewels, many of which have never been publicly displayed before. Spanning almost 180 years since its founding in Paris, the exhibition celebrates Cartier’s groundbreaking influence in the luxury jewellery market. Curator Helen Molesworth noted Cartier’s ability to create timeless designs that continue to resonate.
Opening on Saturday, the exhibition has already sold out for April and May, running until November 16. Visitors can marvel at around 350 exquisite pieces, including brooches, tiaras, necklaces, and earrings adorned with diamonds and other dazzling gemstones. The exhibition features rare items lent by global museums and notable private collections, including items owned by King Charles III and Prince Albert of Monaco.
Highlighting this tribute to luxury, the breathtaking Williamson pink diamond rose brooch, crafted for Queen Elizabeth in 1953, is displayed alongside a tiara worn by Clementine Churchill during the coronation. Additionally, there are exquisite pieces linked to US actress Grace Kelly and Princess Margaret. Molesworth aims to illustrate Cartier’s legacy through the decades, culminating in a collection of 18 tiaras from 1900 to present.
Founded in 1847, Cartier evolved under Louis-Francois Cartier’s vision and was further shaped by his grandsons Luis and Pierre, who explored global inspirations. Molesworth remarked on their travels to regions such as Russia and India, which influenced Cartier’s designs and reflections of societal changes. Throughout its history, Cartier has set trends, transitioning from opulent diamond necklaces of the 1920s to gold bracelets of the 1960s.
During wartime, Cartier responded with poignant designs, such as a caged bird brooch reflecting the Nazi occupation, evolving into the “Free as a Bird” brooch post-liberation. The exhibition also delves into Cartier’s enduring relationship with the British royal family, dating back to 1904 when King Edward VII appointed Cartier as royal jewellers, a status maintained today. Notably, it features the Halo Tiara, worn by Princess Margaret during Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation and later used for Catherine, Princess of Wales’s wedding veil in 2011.
The Cartier exhibition at London’s V&A museum offers a rare opportunity to experience the grandeur of the luxury design house’s history. With exquisite pieces from celebrated collections and a narrative that traces Cartier’s influence, the exhibition highlights its timeless designs and royal connections. Opening until November 16, it promises to be a showcase of artistic evolution in jewellery.
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