For its extraordinary range of bracelets, watches, rings and other adornments, French luxury house Cartier is undeniably one of the most well known and internationally revered jewelers in the world among clients both existing and aspirational.
Perhaps 1847 was not the ideal time to open a new watchmaking and jewelry business, as the French Revolution was not kind to the aristocracy who could afford such luxuries. Nevertheless, it was the year Louis-François Cartier (1819–1904) — who was born into poverty — founded his eponymous empire, assuming control of the workshop of watchmaker Adolphe Picard, under whom he had previously been employed as an assistant. Of course, in the beginning, it was a relatively modest affair, but by the late 1850s, Cartier had its first royal client, Princess Mathilde Bonaparte, niece of Napoleon Bonaparte, who commissioned the jeweler to design brooches, earrings and other accessories.
Under the leadership of Louis-François’s son, Alfred, who took over in 1874, business boomed. Royalty around the world wore Cartier pieces, including Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, the Maharaja of Patiala and King Edward VII, who had 27 tiaras made by the jewelry house for his coronation in 1902 and issued Cartier a royal warrant in 1904. (Today, the British royal family still dons Cartier pieces; Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, regularly sports a Ballon Bleu de Cartier watch.)
Cartier’s golden years, however, began when Alfred introduced his three sons, Louis, Pierre and Jacques, to the business. The brothers expanded Cartier globally: Louis reigned in Paris, Pierre in New York and Jacques in London, ensuring their brand’s consistency at their branches across the world. The trio also brought in such talents as Charles Jacqueau and Jeanne Toussaint.
One of Cartier’s earliest major successes was the Santos de Cartier watch — one of the world's first modern wristwatches for men. (Previously, a large number of people were using only pocket watches.) Louis designed the timepiece in 1904 for his friend, popular Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, who wanted to be able to check the time more easily while flying.
Cartier’s other famous timepieces include the Tank watch, which was inspired by the linear form of military tanks during World War I, and the so-called mystery clocks. Invented by watchmaker and magician Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin and later crafted exclusively for Cartier in the house’s workshop by watchmaker Maurice Couët, the mystery clocks were so named because the integration of glass dials on which the clocks’ hands would seemingly float as well as structures that are hidden away within the base give the illusion that they operate without machinery.
On the jewelry side of the business, Cartier’s internationally renowned offerings include the Tutti Frutti collection, which featured colorful carved gemstones inspired by Jacques’s trip to India and grew in popularity during the Art Deco years; the panthère motif, which has been incorporated into everything from brooches to rings; and the Love bracelet, a minimal, modernist locking bangle inspired by medieval chastity belts that transformed fine jewelry.
While the Cartier family sold the business following the death of Pierre in 1964, the brand continues to innovate today, renewing old hits and creating new masterpieces.
Find contemporary and vintage Cartier watches, engagement rings, necklaces and other accessories on 1stDibs.
handbag powder compact ienamel sterling silver gold and cabochon ruby Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Cartier
Located in Firenze, FI
Oval-section handbag powder compact in 925/1000 sterling silver with black fired enamel. Opening with 18-karat gold bezel with round cabochon ruby, diameter 4 mm. Ground mirror sligh...
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Panthere de Cartier Collectible Vintage Perfume Bottle in original Box Art Deco
By Cartier
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Must de Cartier Paris Collectible Vintage Empty Perfume Bottle in Original Box Art Deco Style. Vintage Original PARFUM Must de Cartier Paris, circa 1980's. Bottle is empty and it com...
Glass
Handbag Powder Compact sterling silver black and red fire enamel lines Salimbeni
By Cartier, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Square purse powder compact with two rounded sides in 925/1000 sterling silver with black and red fire enamel lines. Spring-loaded opening. Ground mirror and mesh inside. Dimensions:...
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Handbag powder compact enamel sterling silver black and red Salimbeni
By Cartier, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Handbag powder compact in 925/1000 sterling silver with black and red fired enamel. Spring button opening. Ground mirror and mesh inside. Small, barely visible crack in the red ename...
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Panthere de Cartier Collectible Vintage Perfume Bottle in original Box Art Deco
By Cartier
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Panthere de Cartier Collectible Vintage Perfume Bottle in original Box Art Deco style. It is vintage from the 1980s. It is marked Cartier made ...
Art Glass
Art Deco Perfume Bottle, 1930s
By René Lalique
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful Art Deco perfume bottle in the style of René Lalique. Opaline glass with emerald green shades. Includes its original cap. Very good condition.
Art Glass
$995
H 0.25 in Dm 2.38 in
Birks Sterling Silver Ladies Compact with Enamel Portrait & Guilloche Decoration
By Henry Birks
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This sterling silver ladies compact was made for the Birks retailer in presumably France in circa 1950. This compact features an enamel portrait done in...
Sterling Silver
20th Italian Sterling Silver Vase
By Argenterie Lala
Located in VALENZA, IT
Elegant and refined sterling silver vase. Entirely handcrafted and embossed with a torchon motif, the vase has been finely hammered all over the body. The mouth of the vase is shap...
Sterling Silver
$16,760Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.58 in Dm 7.68 in
20th Century Sterling Silver Italian Gilded and Enameled Table Box
By Salimbeni
Located in VALENZA, IT
Round haped silver gilded 925/1000 table box with translucent enamels on guilloche with hand-painted floral miniatures and gold paillons Made in Italy 1.400 grams The Miniatures are hand-painted on a usually white homogeneous enamel base. The same colored glazes are used, but ground much finer, which are mixed with special oils to form an infinite palette of colors. The paint must be gradually dried on electric stoves...
Sterling Silver
Cartier Art Deco Sterling Silver Compact Case by
By Cartier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fine Cartier compact case in Art Deco style, circa 1930s. Sterling silver with gold gilt interior. The exterior features engraved line pattern that r...
Silver
French Art Deco Glass Perfume Bottle
Located in Queens, NY
French Art Deco molded clear glass perfume bottle with a black glass fan stopper.
Glass
$895
H 0.75 in W 3.75 in D 2.75 in
Antique Art Nouveau 985 Sterling Silver & Blue Enamel Austrian or French Compact
Located in Atlanta, GA
Absolutely stunning decoration. In absolutely incredible condition with minor scratching to bottom! Detail is amazing. Roughly 200 grams.
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Antique Sterling Silver and Pink Enamel Compact by A&J Zimmerman, 1927
By A&J Zimmerman Ltd.
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique George V English sterling silver and pink enamel compact; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection This exceptional antique George V sterling silver and enamel compact has a circular form with a swept lower portion. The anterior surface is embellished with a pink guilloche enamel panel which reflects a wavy concentric ring design, emanating from the centre of the cover. The sides and underside of this impressive compact are plain and unembellished. This antique compact opens to reveal the original gilding and integrated mirror. Condition This antique pink enamel...
Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
French Art Deco Lalique Perfume Bottle
Located in Queens, NY
French Art Deco round glass perfume bottle with embossed decorative briar pattern and gray staining, with a matching dome-shaped stopper (signed LALIQUE)
Glass
French Art Deco Ciro Viard Perfume Bottle
Located in Queens, NY
French Art Deco frosted glass perfume bottle & stopper (\"LE CHEVALIER DE NUIT\" by CIRO) shaped like a knight in armor with plumed helmet, remains of original black staining (by JUL...
Elm
$382Sale Price|41% Off
H 4 in W 2.63 in D 1.7 in
Crystal Glass Cologne or Perfume Bottle Sterling Silver Top Art Deco London 1919
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very good quality crystal cut glass cologne or perfume bottle with a sterling silver screw top lid with engine turned detail, made in London and dating to the early Art Deco period, 1919. The clear glass bottle or jar has a rectilinear shape, having an oval section, with finely hand cut vertical sides and small panels cut on the shoulder. The sterling silver circular top is threaded for turning onto the neck section. It is finely engine turned to the top which is very decorative. It is marked on the side of the neck with sterling silver hall marks for London 1919...
Sterling Silver
$8,851Sale Price|34% Off
H 3.94 in W 3.94 in D 1.19 in
20th Century Italian Sterling Silver Enameled Table Clock
By Salimbeni
Located in VALENZA, IT
Art deco octagonal table clock cm. 10x10 in 925/1000 gilded silver with translucent black and red fired enamels on guilloché, Swiss mechanical skeletal movement, winding 8 days The miniatures are hand-painted on a usually white homogeneous enamel base. The same colored glazes are used, but ground much finer, which are mixed with special oils to form an infinite palette of colors. The paint must be gradually dried on electric stoves...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 2.37 in W 3.94 in D 7.29 in
CARTIER LUXURY GOLD ATOMISER PARFUM FLACON “EAU DE PARFUM” BOXED DECORATiVE
By Cartier
Located in Pulborough, GB
Antiques of London A gorgeous high-end decorative perfume atomiser/flacon by Cartier, in gleaming gold-tone finish, styled for perfume bottle refill, which is still being sold toda...
Leather
Sold
H 1.75 in W 5.75 in D 3.25 in
Panthere de Cartier Collectible Vintage Perfume Bottle in original Box Art Deco
By Cartier
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Must de Cartier Paris Collectible Vintage Empty Perfume Bottle in Original Box Art Deco Style. Vintage Original PARFUM Must de Cartier Paris, cir...
Glass