A Steel and Gold Vintage Cartier Money Clips circa 1980
View Similar Items
A Steel and Gold Vintage Cartier Money Clips circa 1980
About the Item
Cartier
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.
- 1990s Bronze and Green Agate Italian Rings and Earrings by AnomisLocated in Aci Castello, ITA parure composed by a bronze and green agate round cabochon ring and earrings designed and hand-crafted in Italy by Anomis. Items are never worn.Category
Late 20th Century Italian Retro Drop Earrings
MaterialsAgate, Bronze
- 1990s Bronze and Blue Agate Italian Ring and Earrings by AnomisLocated in Aci Castello, ITA bronze parure composed by a ring and a pair of earrings designed and manufactured in Italy by Anomis. The rectangular cabochon blue agate are in perfect condition.Category
Late 20th Century Italian Retro Hoop Earrings
MaterialsAgate, Bronze
- 1990s Oval Onyx and Brass Ring and Earrings by AnomisLocated in Aci Castello, ITA never worn lovely parure composed by a brass and oval onyx cabochon ring and a pair of earrings designed and manufactured in Italy by AnomisCategory
Late 20th Century Italian Retro Lever-Back Earrings
MaterialsOnyx, Brass
- 1990s Vintage Gilded Bronze and Blue Agate Italian Charm Bracelet by AnomisLocated in Aci Castello, ITA never worn bronze bracelet with an oval blue agate cabochon and an heart clousure designed and manufactured in Italy by Anomis. Anomis was an italian sma...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Retro Retro Bracelets
MaterialsAgate, Bronze
- 1990s Gilded Sterling Silver and Square Hydrotermal Quartz Italian NecklaceLocated in Aci Castello, ITA never worn stylish necklace totally hand-crafted in Italy in the Nineties, it's never worn. The gilded sterling silver and the square briolé hydro termal citrine quartz are in perf...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
MaterialsQuartz, Sterling Silver
- 1990s Vintage Sterling Silver and Blue Agate Pendant Italian Bracelet by AnomisLocated in Aci Castello, ITA sterling silver bracelet made in Italy in the Nineties hand-worked as a jewel. Blue Cabochon agate and a sterling silver heart pendant in an hand-crafted chain. The 1990s Vintage ...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Retro Chain Bracelets
MaterialsAgate, Sterling Silver
- Timeless Diamond Flower Drop Pendant NecklaceBy Lili JewelryLocated in New York, NYTimeless diamond flower pendant design 14 white gold with sparkling 1/2 carat total round stones Pendant suspends from an 18 inch chainCategory
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Drop Necklaces
- Swedish Modernist Silver Ove Nordström Bergslagsmycke 1969 PendantLocated in Skanninge, SEA very modernist design on this pendant by Swedish maker Ove Nordstrom. Ove Nordström had his workshop 160km northwest of Stockholm. The glass-like iron...Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Modernist More Jewelry
MaterialsSilver
- 22K Indian Gold and Enamel Mango Shaped PendantLocated in New York, NYA 22K Indian Gold and Enamel Mango Shaped Pendant, Jaipur, 19th Century. Finley enameled with green, red, and blue enamel throughout, decorated with f...Category
Antique 19th Century Indian Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsGold, Enamel
- Bella ManoBy Antoñio PinedaLocated in Taxco de Alarcon, GuerreroBracelet and ring in one piece with silver crimped amastistas Guerrero state, chiseling technique and openworkCategory
1990s Mexican Contemporary More Jewelry
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Vertebrae Body-Chain with Cabochon Coral and Rhodochrosite in 18k GoldBy Karma El KhalilLocated in New York, NYVertebrae Body-chain with Cabochon Coral and Rhodochrosite in 18k Yellow Gold. This exquisite body chain is crafted from 18k yellow gold, adorned with cabochon-cut coral and rhodoch...Category
2010s American Modern More Jewelry
MaterialsCoral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Sacchi Carnelian Gemstone 18 Karat Yellow Gold Round CufflinksBy Sacchi GioielliLocated in Rome, ITCarnelian Gemstone Satin Yellow Gold Round Cufflinks hand-crafted with lost-wax casting technique. Lost-wax casting, one of the oldest techniques for creating jewellery, forms the basis of Sacchi's jewellery production. Modelling wax in the round allows to sculpt small and large pieces, and polishing with agate stones gives characteristic light effects. The Cufflinks are comprised of 18 Karat Yellow Gold Satin Finish, set with a Round Carnelian Stone in the center. All Sacchi's Jewels are entirely handmade by master craftsmen in our goldsmith workshop located in the center of Rome. Handmade in Italy (Rome). 18 kt Gold Weight: 13,3 grams. Dimensions: -Diameter: 1.8 cm Type: Man CufflinksCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Cufflinks
MaterialsCarnelian, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
How to Spot a Fake Cartier Love Bracelet
This iconic jewel has captured countless hearts with its elegant design and its amatory symbolism. Counterfeiters have taken note of the demand and created fake versions. If you’re looking for a genuine Cartier Love bracelet, it’s crucial to check all the elements for authenticity. Our guide will teach you the telltale traits of a knockoff.
The 14 Most Iconic Watches for Women
Style, craft and heritage combine to make these designs undeniable classics.