Thursday, August 8, 2013

Cartier: Jeweler of Kings


Cartier was quoted by King Edward VII of England as “the jeweler of kings and the king of jewelers.”  Cartier has been the “official jewelry supplier” of the royal courts since the early 19th century.  Princess Mathilde purchased from Cartier in 1856, Edward VII ordered twenty-seven tiaras for his coronation in 1902 and awarded Cartier its first royal warrant in 1904.  Thereafter, Cartier was awarded fifteen royal patterns between 1904 to 1939 from Spain to Russia, Egypt to Siam.

The different creations of Cartier’s unique and elegant designs for royalty range from royal tiaras, engagement rings, deco brooches, and bracelets to cigarette cases.  For instance, the head gear's ornaments made from 19 exceptional emeralds and exclusive rare stones, and they weight 117.40 karats for Jagtjit Sign, Maharaja of Kapurthala, the three-dimensional panther feature on the brooch from Duchess Windsor, and etc.

Apart from its long history of sales to royalty and celebrities, Cartier also witnesses the royal families’ love stories with its collections of historic personalities designs from the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Grace Kelly and Price Rainier of Monaco, to Price William and Catherine Middleton.


Halo Tiara

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.  Catherine Middleton wore the “Halo Tiara” borrowed from Queen Elizabeth on her wedding as “something borrowed” in 2011. The Duke of York had purchased the Halo Tiara for his Duchess (later Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother) in 1936, and it was presented to Princess Elizabeth (later Elizabeth II) as her 18th birthday present.  Apart from Catherine Middleton, the tiara also been borrowed and worn by Princess Margaret and Princess Anne.

The connection between Cartier and royalty continues.



Source:  

Nancy, U. R. (2010). Cartier: King of jewelers. Ornament, 33, 42-42,10. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1009282803?accountid=25283
Reif, R. (1991, Jan 27). ANTIQUES; treasures from the jeweler to all the kings. New York Times. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/427928652?accountid=25283




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