Maria Felix and the Cartier Crocodile Necklace
Maria Felix and the Cartier Crocodile Necklace
Maria Felix, also known as “La Dona” or “Grand Dame,” rose to fame in the 1943 film “Dona Barbara.” From then on, she appeared in nearly 50 films, which allowed her to expand her collection of jewelry. She was never photographed without wearing a necklace, and her ensembles often featured alligators and snakes. She also wore a renowned Cartier necklace during her lifetime.
Cartier’s crocodile necklace
In 1975, Mexican actress Maria Felix visited a Cartier boutique with a baby crocodile. She asked the designer to design a necklace that resembled the reptile, which he did. The result was a necklace that has two articulated crocodiles and a crocodile clasp, both of which can be worn as a necklace or as a bracelet. The necklace weighs 524.9 grams, and contains 1,023 round-cut diamonds and 1,060 round-cut emeralds.
Maria Felix had a strong animal theme throughout her jewelry collection. She sold many pieces, including snake and crocodile necklaces, and even earrings, although she never seemed to need money. She owned homes in Paris and in Mexico City’s Polanco district. She also had thoroughbred racehorses in Chantilly.
The double crocodile jewel, crafted by Gabriel Raton, is an excellent example of the French house’s art of reptiles. This double-crocodile necklace resembles a Cartier piece, albeit in a different way. It is made from a series of intricate armatures, and it feels as if it was made by a Cartier artist. The necklace was commissioned by Felix because of her love of reptiles. She gave a champagne toast to the Cartier craftsmen who created it.
This jewel has received praise for its design, color and rarity. It was based on a design by Gabriel Raton, who died in 1988, but never received any mention in Cartier’s biographies. The reason behind the commission was not clear, but this unusual piece of jewelry is a stunning example of the French art of high jewellery.
Cartier is now known for its iconic crocodile necklace. It is made of 316-carat white gold, set with diamonds and a red-ruby emerald. The necklace is designed by the same artisan who created the panther necklace.
Maria Felix’s obsession with reptiles
Maria Felix’s obsession with reptiles is legendary. Her passion for reptiles was so intense that she even had a jewelled bestiary made, complete with her favorite creatures. She wore coral crosses from her birth as a good luck charm and was known to collect jewels and other items. Her taste for jewellery continued well into her later years.
During the 1940s, she starred in several Renoir and Bunuel films. She was known for wearing a necklace with 2,473 diamonds mounted on platinum. The necklace was reversible, and it is adorned with snake motifs. Maria Felix was also a lover of snake motifs in art.
The crocodile’s legs are articulated
A Mexican actress named Maria Felix once commissioned Cartier to design a jewel in the shape of a crocodile. The actress, known for her exotic femme fatale roles, wanted the jewel to emulate the crocodile’s unique features. After studying a crocodile, Cartier artisans created an articulated crocodile necklace that can be worn as a necklace or a brooch.
The necklace is shaped like a pair of miniature crocodiles, paved with yellow and emerald diamonds. The crocodile’s legs articulate, making the crocodile’s limbs move. Besides wearing the necklace as a necklace, you can also use the necklace as a brooch or as a table ornament. The piece is part of Cartier’s patrimonial collection.
The Cartier maria felix necklace is one of the most famous pieces of high jewellery in history. The necklace features two articulated crocodiles and was ordered by Mexican actress Maria Felix. The necklace is one of a kind, with its crocodile’s legs articulating. The necklace is an exceptional piece of art.
The crocodile’s body is savage
The crocodile’s body, which has a savage, elongated shape, has sharp teeth that allow it to grip its prey. Its jaws are also very sharp and allow it to dismember its prey. In the wild, crocodiles often roll their prey’s carcasses and tear them apart. Some species even cooperate with one another to subdue large mammals.
Crocodilians are threatened with extinction because of human-induced disruptions in their ecosystems. Climate change, endocrine disruption, man-made canals, and freshwater marshes being overflowed with saltwater are just a few of the human-induced changes affecting crocodilians’ habitats. This is bringing them closer to human communities and putting them at risk of extinction.
The crocodile’s snout is relatively long and varies in proportion and shape among species. They have thick skin and bones on their back. The snout’s shape and bone thickness help identify crocodile species.
A crocodile is one of the largest surviving reptiles. It can grow to be over 23 feet (7m) long. In ancient Egypt, crocodiles were considered sacred animals. Ancient Egyptians buried dozens of embalmed crocodiles in cemeteries dedicated to them.
Crocodilians have good eyesight. The snouts of crocodilians are more pronounced than those of alligators, but the two species look nearly identical when they are in the water. The crocodile’s eyes are located close together, allowing them to see objects clearly in low-light conditions. Their eyesight also helps them position their head to face potential prey.
Crocodiles prey on fish, turtles, small mammals, birds, reptiles, and humans. They often hide in water holes, where they grab their prey by tearing them to pieces.
The crocodile’s legs feel comfortable against the skin
One of Cartier’s biggest fans was Mexican actress Maria Felix, who commissioned the jeweler to create a necklace of crocodile legs for her. She brought a baby crocodile with her to the Paris store in 1975 and requested the jewelry company to recreate it. In a few months, Cartier had the necklace finished and ready to wear. The necklace featured two gold-encrusted reptiles entwined with diamonds and emeralds and weighed 126 carats. Later, the actress ordered several diamond-inset snake bracelets and necklaces.
The Cartier Maria Felix necklace is a tribute to the iconic piece. The necklace is designed by the same artisan sculptor who created the iconic Cartier Panther for the Duchess of Windsor in 1948. In a similar way, the necklace features diamonds in a similar style to the Panther necklace, which was designed by legendary jewelry director Jeanne Toussaint.
The crocodile’s legs and scales are designed to feel comfortable against the skin with the Maria Felix Cartier necklace. It feels as if they are actually part of your skin. You’ll be able to feel the crocodile’s legs against your skin and feel how they are made.
Maria Felix and the Cartier Crocodile Necklace
