Cartier Two Ring Necklace – A Classic, Timeless Piece
Cartier Two Ring Necklace – A Classic, Timeless Piece
A classic, timeless piece, a Cartier two ring necklace will be an elegant accent to any ensemble. Celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor, Merle Oberon, and Gloria Swanson were among the many famous customers who collected the famous French jewelry. They also included the late Salomon Barnato Joel, who had made his fortune in the South African diamond mines. Joel requested that Cartier mount four diamonds in a brooch for him. Cartier adapted the design to fit his requirements and created a pendant that matched the size of four diamonds. Eventually, the design was called a devant-de-corsage or stomacher brooch.
Cartier’s ‘Great Cat’ motif
Inspired by African animal life, Cartier’s ‘Great Cat’ motifs are seen throughout the company’s collections. Throughout the twentieth century, the panther was a popular motif in Art Deco jewellery. It also featured prominently in mid-century and eighties designs, as well as contemporary pieces. Cartier was among the first jewellery houses to take on the motif, but other brands have followed suit with their own interpretations. Carrera y Carrera is another brand that has used animal themes throughout its 130-year history. They currently have a range of jewellery featuring panthers and tigers.
The ‘Great Cat’ motif was first interpreted as a timepiece in 1983, and it quickly became one of the brand’s most iconic watches. It was inspired by the shape of a big cat and was created in a unique way. The ‘Great Cat’ watch was made by attaching tiny beads of varying sizes to the dial of a watch. This technique gave the cat an almost three-dimensional appearance.
Jeanne Toussaint, a jewellery designer who adored all things feline, was particularly inspired by the motif. She wore a floor-length panther coat and was nicknamed ‘La Panthere’ by her boss Louis Cartier. She often accompanied him on safari and visited the Paris zo. In addition to designing the jewelry, Toussaint also became an artistic director at Cartier and further popularised the panther motif.
In the early 1900s, the panther became a common symbol in art. The panther was often used in paintings and sculptures. In 1913, Louis Cartier commissioned an illustrator, George Barbier, to illustrate an ad campaign. The result was a drawing called ‘Dame a la Panthere’, which is believed to be the first connection between the brand and the panther. In 1913, Toussaint was hired as the company’s director of accessories.
The iconic ‘La Panthere’ motif has been an iconic symbol of the Maison for almost a century. Inspired by ancient mythological creatures, the black panther symbolises elegance, bold courage and the allure of danger.
Its ‘Hindu necklace’
The ‘Hindu necklace’ is a classic piece of Cartier jewelry that dates back to the 20th century. Originally created using 18k Gold, this ‘Hindu necklace’ has since been reinterpreted in modern styles. The ‘Hindu necklace’ is incredibly elegant and will elevate any ensemble. The style can be found in six different editions, from antique versions to contemporary creations.
The pendant is set in 18k yellow gold with a floral-like motif. Five round brilliant cut diamonds are claw set into the gold. The necklace is 16 inches long and features a gold safety chain. The Cartier ‘Hindu necklace’ is a beautiful and versatile piece that can be worn alone or stacked with other pieces.
This necklace was recreated in the movie ‘Ocean’s Eight as the centrepiece. Cartier’s high jewellery workshops in Paris, France, worked with Anna Hathaway to adjust the size. The original design contained around 500 carats of diamonds. The Cartier high jewellery workshops reduced the necklace’s size by 15-20%. This piece now weighs around 450 carats.
This necklace was commissioned by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh, who was a frequent client of Cartier’s. The Maharaja had the necklace made for his wife, Maharani Yagoda Devi. It was a masterpiece that included diamonds, rubies, and pearls. It was lost with the end of the Maharajas, but a piece was found in an auction house in Europe, which led Cartier to recreate the necklace.
Its ‘Tutti Frutti’ collection
The ‘Tutti Frutti’ collection was inspired by the vibrant colours and motifs of Indian jewelry. Developed during the 1920s, these pieces were set in platinum and diamond settings. The jewels incorporated traditional Indian designs and elements like Moghul-style carved gemstones.
The Tutti Frutti collection combines vibrant gemstones with striking, carved designs. The style first appeared in the early 1900s, when Queen Alexandra, wife of King Edward VII, was presented with a necklace designed by Pierre Cartier. The Queen had a particular taste for jewellery that featured bold colours, so her necklace was adorned with rubies, emeralds, and sapphires.
The Tutti Frutti collection was so popular that it influenced many other jewellers. For example, Paul Flato, a master of Art Deco jewelry, was influenced by the Tutti Frutti collection. His designs were brightly coloured and often featured abstract shapes. Flato, in fact, referred to these pieces as ‘wiggly jewels’.
The ‘Tutti Frutti’ style grew in popularity during the 1920s and 1930s. Its heyday was during the tropical wave – a departure from the white dominated Art Deco style. The Tutti Frutti style was accompanied by a small brigade of jewelers who wore white linen suits and boaters. The brigade often headed to India where they shopped for gems and jewels.
The ‘Tutti Frutti’ collection was first exhibited at the Paris Exposition in 1925. Famous customers of the brand included Cole Porter and Daisy Fellowes. These pieces are truly unique, displaying the brand’s famous Tutti Frutti style. One of the most famous pieces from the collection is a bracelet with carved emeralds, rubies, and sapphires. The bracelet also features diamonds and black enamel.
The ‘Collier Hindou’ necklace is the crown jewel of the ‘Tutti Frutti’ collection. This necklace, designed by Cartier for Daisy Fellowes, was finished in May 1963 and was embellished with 594 diamonds. In addition to the diamonds, the necklace also contained eight rubies and thirteen sapphires. The necklace was worn once by Ms. Fellowes and then passed on to Emmeline de Casteja, who wore it until she passed away.
The ‘Tutti Frutti’ collection was also notable for its carved gemstones. The jewels in this collection are cut using Moghul cutting techniques, making them unique and desirable. The diamond clasp, in particular, is adorned with pave-set diamonds.
Its ‘Mystery Clock’
The ‘Mystery Clock’ is a timepiece made by Cartier. Inspired by the Magic Clocks of Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin, Maurice Couet, a young watchmaker at Cartier, set about designing a unique and intriguing timepiece. His creation was the first of its kind, with the hands floating and no visible mechanism.
This timepiece is known for its extraordinary workmanship and technical virtuosity. Made with precious materials and in extremely fine detail, this piece is a work of art. Its design and execution are both reminiscent of the past and present.
Made from rock crystal, the face and hands seem to operate independently. They are connected to each other by gears concealed in the case frame. The production process for this piece took anywhere from three to twelve months. During this period, the ‘Mystery Clock’ was created for J.P. Morgan, who was an investor in the company.
Cartier is known for its innovation and creativity. Their ‘Mystery Clock’ necklace is a great example of the artistry of the company. Its circular shape is complemented by a lobster claw clasp and is available in yellow or rose gold. The necklace is also available with bezel-set diamonds.
During the early XX century, the Cartier Jewelry House was well-known in France. Three generations of the Cartier family took care of the business, and they were happy with their lifestyles. The third generation of the family decided to take part in the 1900 Paris World Exhibition. In this event, three young men from the third generation participated in a prestigious exhibition. They displayed their work and even created Easter eggs. These Easter eggs contained secrets of masterful craftsmanship and unmatched small mechanics.
During this time, the company was also involved in the Eastern region. After the death of Queen Victoria, the fashion world began to open its doors once again. The English fashion industry had been suffocated for the previous forty years, so it was a relief for the royals to finally be allowed to shine. It was during this time that Pierre Cartier was already working on a necklace inspired by Indian jewelry.
The ‘Mystery Clock’ necklace is one of the most famous pieces of Cartier jewelry. It features the name of the brand’s founder, Louis Cartier. It is made of white gold and features a panther motif.
Cartier Two Ring Necklace – A Classic, Timeless Piece
