There is the tiara made in 1936 for Princess Elizabeth of England: a relatively sober band studded with diamonds. The tiara worn by Kate for her recent wedding to William (739 brilliant-cut diamonds and 149 baguette-cut diamonds). But that’s not all. The Grand Palais in Paris displays the best of Cartier, the great French jeweler that displays 600 precious pieces created over time, including a necklace of a Maharaja, and snake necklaces of 2,473 diamonds and emeralds… In total 600 jewels created from the 19th century to 1970, the largest exhibition ever dedicated to the Parisian maison. “It is exciting to see more than 600 creations brought together,” comments the president of Cartier, Stanislas de Quercize. Among the objects on display there are also pieces that belonged to famous people. As in the case of a ruby necklace given to Elizabeth Taylor by her third husband, Mike Todd.
The exhibition summarizes the history of the maison, and the original style. Designers, for example, were initially encouraged to find their inspiration away from jewelry, in areas such as architecture and furniture. “Louis Cartier encouraged many to go around to see the palaces in Paris, to study the patterns of doors or pediments,” says Laurent Salomé, curator of the exhibition. A pin, for example, can look like a small monument. An original design, which brought fame to the maison. For Americans, for example, Cartier was identified with the French art of living elegantly.
