Tiara, Cartier, Paris, 1914, Photo: V. Wulveryck, Cartier Collection (©Cartier).

Exceptional jewellery, emblematic pieces, sumptuous tiaras, but also watches, clocks, refined objects, drawings and fashion accessories are brought together in this dazzling exhibition, which retraces the importance of this jeweller in the history of tastefulness and the decorative arts, from its foundation in 1847 to the mid-1970s.

In this historical and aesthetic retrospective, the most beautiful pieces are on display, along with more than 300 documents from the Cartier archives.

Through styles, inspirations and personalities, this sumptuous exhibition retraces the history of Cartier, who played a major role in the history of the decorative arts.

The house of the man known as the “king of jewellers” and “jeweller to kings” seduced the whole world, from Maharajahs to the Queen of England, including film stars and American heiresses (Barbara Hutton, Marlene Dietrich, Liz Taylor, Maria Felix…).

Photos Marian Gérard / Archives Cartier / N. Welsh / Collection Cartier

The exhibition is punctuated by the evocation of emblematic characters from the history of the House of Cartier, and highlights the popularity of jewellery with the most elegant personalities of the 20th century.

Photo V. Wulveryck, Collection Cartier © Cartier

Cartier’s unique savoir-faire has been able to survive the centuries and adapt to times, offering an exciting testimony to the evolution of taste and social codes: from classic to modern creations, including exoticism.

Commissioned by Sir Bhupindar Singh (1928), Maharajah of Patiala. Set in platinum with 2930 diamonds, two rubies and the famous Beers diamond (234.69 carats), for a total weight of 1000 carats. Photo copyright Cartier.