Cartier Brooches
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.
On 1stDibs, find a growing collection of contemporary and vintage Cartier watches, engagement rings, necklaces and other accessories.
1950s Retro Vintage Cartier Brooches
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Modern Cartier Brooches
Agate, Turquoise, 18k Gold
1990s Art Deco Cartier Brooches
Emerald, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Contemporary Vintage Cartier Brooches
Emerald
21st Century and Contemporary Cartier Brooches
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1940s Vintage Cartier Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold
1960s Modern Vintage Cartier Brooches
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
1970s Vintage Cartier Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Retro Vintage Cartier Brooches
Ruby, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Cartier Brooches
Agate, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Modern Cartier Brooches
Yellow Gold
1950s Retro Vintage Cartier Brooches
White Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cartier Brooches
Chalcedony, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Cartier Brooches
Diamond, Platinum, Silver
Mid-20th Century Post-War Cartier Brooches
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Cartier Brooches
Sapphire, 18k Gold
1990s Cartier Brooches
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1930s Art Deco Vintage Cartier Brooches
Carnelian, Diamond, Gold
1970s Vintage Cartier Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1940s Retro Vintage Cartier Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold
1950s Vintage Cartier Brooches
White Diamond, Diamond, Platinum
1950s Vintage Cartier Brooches
Diamond, Turquoise, Gold
20th Century Cartier Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Gold
1920s Art Deco Vintage Cartier Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum
1920s Art Deco Vintage Cartier Brooches
Coral, Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold
1990s Modern Cartier Brooches
Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Vintage Cartier Brooches
Blue Sapphire, Turquoise, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Cartier Brooches
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Modernist Vintage Cartier Brooches
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
1990s Cartier Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold
1990s Cartier Brooches
Lapis Lazuli, Ruby
1910s Belle Époque Vintage Cartier Brooches
Diamond, Platinum
1980s Retro Vintage Cartier Brooches
Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Vintage Cartier Brooches
18k Gold
1950s Vintage Cartier Brooches
Diamond, Yellow Gold
20th Century Cartier Brooches
Coral
1950s Vintage Cartier Brooches
Ruby, Rose Gold
1920s Vintage Cartier Brooches
Diamond, Jade, Platinum
Late 20th Century Cartier Brooches
Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Modern Vintage Cartier Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
1990s Retro Cartier Brooches
Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
Early 1900s Late Victorian Antique Cartier Brooches
Diamond, Platinum
1950s Art Deco Vintage Cartier Brooches
Diamond, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Retro Cartier Brooches
Turquoise, Yellow Gold, Gold
1960s Vintage Cartier Brooches
Diamond, Gold
20th Century Modern Cartier Brooches
Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1930s Art Deco Vintage Cartier Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1990s Modern Cartier Brooches
Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Modern Vintage Cartier Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
1920s Vintage Cartier Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
20th Century Modern Cartier Brooches
Rose Gold
Mid-20th Century Contemporary Cartier Brooches
Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Cartier Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Turquoise, Gold
1940s Vintage Cartier Brooches
14k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Cartier Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
1920s Vintage Cartier Brooches
Coral, Diamond, Enamel
Late 20th Century Artist Cartier Brooches
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Retro Cartier Brooches
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Gold, Rose Gold
