Cartier

A reference in the world of luxury since 1847, Cartier, whose name is synonymous with openness and curiosity, stands out with its creations and unveils beauty wherever it may be found.
From jewellery to high jewellery, from watchmaking to fragrances, leather goods and accessories, Cartier's creations symbolise the convergence between exceptional savoir-faire and a timeless style.
A fully engaged French house in step with its time, Cartier continues to enrich its heritage – in particular through the many Cartier Collection exhibitions worldwide – and to support craftsmanship, notably through the Maison des Métiers d’Art since 2015.
With the Cartier Foundation for Contemporary Art, the Cartier Women's Initiative Awards, Cartier Philanthropy and the Responsible Jewellery Council, which it co-founded, Cartier also contributes to its era’s social, cultural and artistic life.

Derived from the Greek word gluptikos, glyptics originally designated the engraving of gemstones. Employed to decorate objects in ancient times, fine gems, hard stones and other noble material sculpted by direct carving progressively became true works of art and made their way into high jewellery creations.
Glyptics is one of the many ancestral skills applied and encouraged by Cartier. In 2010 the Maison became the only fine jeweller with an in-house workshop headed by a Maître d’art, Philippe Nicolas, who teaches this rare art to apprentices with patience and passion.

Cartier presents a piece specially designed for Homo Faber: a precious box, combining jewellery, glyptics and straw marquetry. The Maison wished to pay tribute to Japan, the guest of honour and a country with which it has always been fascinated. The cherry blossom, a motif often found in the Cartier Archives, was the source of inspiration for this unprecedented creation. The pink chalcedony petals are hand carved and placed on the lid of the box sculpted in white opal.
Faithful to a long-standing tradition of convertible pieces, the main flower can be detached and worn as a brooch, as can the bracelet that encircles the box. Once removed, a graphic frieze in straw marquetry is revealed, testimony to another example of exceptional know-how so dear to Cartier.

Details: Genealogies of Ornament Exhibition