A new exhibition opens between 12 April – 16 November 2025 at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, paying tribute to the creativity and signature style of Cartier.
The history of the Maison – founded in 1847 by Parisian watchmaker Louis-François Cartier – is rather complex and interesting; Cartier has gifted many iconic pieces, designs as well as pioneering shapes and techniques to jewellery and watch aficionados.
The major exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), South Kensington in London featuring more than 350 objects, will have three main sections: one dedicated to the creativity of Cartier and the emergence of its signature style, another to the heritage of its technical ingenuity and craftsmanship, and finally its approach to image-making and maintaining its legacy and relevance in a changing world.
The exhibition windows will spotlight Cartier icons such as a collection of panther jewels, one of the House’s most enduring and instantly recognisable symbols, a selection of Cartier timepieces that embody its unique and pioneering approach to watchmaking including the Crash wristwatch, designed by Cartier London in 1967, and a spectacular display of tiaras and signature Art Deco pieces.
In 1902, Cartier opened its first boutique in London and in 1904, they received their first warrant as official supplier to the court of King Edward VII. He referred to Cartier as ‘the jeweller of kings and the king of jewellers’ – the exhibition is an excellent opportunity to gain insight into the ‘savoir faire’ of the Masion, which made Cartier so iconic.
Exhibition curators Helen Molesworth (Senior Jewellery Curator, V&A) and Rachel Garrahan (Project Curator, Jewellery, V&A), said: ‘Cartier is one of the most famous jewellery houses in the world. This exhibition will explore how Louis, Pierre and Jacques Cartier, together with their father Alfred, adopted a strategy of original design, exceptional craftsmanship and international expansion that transformed the Parisian family jeweller into a household name. With its world-class jewellery collection, the V&A is the perfect stage to celebrate the pioneering achievements of Cartier and its transformative ability to remain at the centre of culture and creativity for more than a century. We are excited to be able to share with visitors some of Cartier’s most famous creations as well as revealing previously unseen objects and archive material that further enriches our understanding of a jewellery house that continues to influence the way we adorn ourselves today.’
Highlights will include the Scroll Tiara commissioned in 1902 and worn to the coronation of Elizabeth II and the majestic Manchester Tiara from the V&A collection, made in 1903 for the Dowager Duchess of Manchester. The Scroll tiara was made using a combination of silver and gold. This piece was sold to the Countess of Essex. The tiara was put on auction in 1990 at Christie’s in London and the gem trader who won the auction almost dismantled the piece for the diamonds. Fortunately Éric Nussbaum (former Director of Cartier Collection) purchased the tiara from him and thus the piece was saved and now enriches the Cartier Collection.
Jacques Cartier first visited India in 1911 and, through his buying agents in Delhi, Calcutta and Bombay, managed to acquire Indian rubies, sapphires and emeralds, carved with floral motifs – traditionally used in Indian jewellery. These colourful stones became part of the later so-called ‘Tutti Frutti style’ – playful multi-gem jewels inspired by Eastern cultures. The exhibition includes a platinum bandeau in Tutti Frutti style, with emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and diamonds, made in 1928 for the English heiress and socialite, Lady Mountbatten (1901-1960).
The exhibition runs 12 April 2025 – 16 November 2025 and tickets are available soon here.
Source: press release. Photo credits: Cartier, V&A.
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