Cartier Paris Art Deco Sterling Silver, Enamel and Jade Case
View Similar Items
Cartier Paris Art Deco Sterling Silver, Enamel and Jade Case
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.
Find contemporary and vintage Cartier watches, engagement rings, necklaces and other accessories on 1stDibs.
- Antique Sterling Silver and Enamel Collie CaseLocated in New York, NYOutstanding sterling silver hinged case. With an enamel portrait of a mother collie with her two pups, in soft shades of black, white, brown and green. Hand-engraved family crest...Category
Antique Early 1900s Austrian Boxes and Cases
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Antique Enamel Sterling Silver Irish Setter CaseLocated in New York, NYBeautiful sterling silver hinged case. Luminous blue guilloche enamel, with portrait of a red and white Irish setter, wearing a red collar. The quality of the enamel is outstandin...Category
Vintage 1910s Austrian Boxes and Cases
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Antique Sterling and Enamel Horse CaseLocated in New York, NYBeautiful sterling silver and enamel hinged case. Exquisite portrait of a black horse, with white facial markings, on a luminous white guilloche enamel background, which shades to g...Category
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Boxes and Cases
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Antique Sterling and Enamel Cat CaseLocated in New York, NYCharming large round sterling silver hinged case. An enamel depiction of two adorable kittens in a basket, with greenery and a big blue bow. Lovely shades of green, cream, brown, blue and gray. Set in .935 silver. Top inside contains a mirror; bottom inside is original satin gilt. Made in Germany. 3 1/3" in diameter. A beautiful and endearing antique objet...Category
Antique Early 1900s German Boxes and Cases
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Best Ever Antique Bulldog Enamel Sterling Silver CaseLocated in New York, NYSuperlative sterling silver hinged case, with an enamel standing bulldog. The dog is so heavily enameled that it appears to be three-dimensional. 3-3/...Category
Vintage 1910s Austrian Art Nouveau Boxes and Cases
MaterialsSterling Silver
- "Trout" Fish Case Antique Sterling and EnamelLocated in New York, NYOutstanding antique sterling silver hinged case, with six enameled fish depicting six varieties of trout. Vibrant colors, beautiful crisp condition. 4 1/2" x 3 1/4". Made c. 1905. A...Category
Antique Early 1900s American Boxes and Cases
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Cartier, Art Deco Jade Multi-Gem CaseBy CartierLocated in New York, NYCirca 1925. rose-cut diamonds, square jade plaque, round ruby, coral beads, black resin. Stamp: "Cartier", french marks. Measurement: 11.8 x 8.1 x 1.1cm Weight: 103.1 gramsCategory
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Boxes and Cases
MaterialsCoral, Diamond, Jade, Ruby
- Art Deco Cartier Diamond Jade Enamel BoxBy CartierLocated in Monte Carlo, MCArt déco rectangular CARTIER Box in yellow gold. The entire exterior part of the box is in black enamel, at each end a frieze of rounded shape gold color pattern, a thin golden line ...Category
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Boxes and Cases
MaterialsDiamond, Jade, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
- Art Deco Enamel and Diamond Cigarette CaseLocated in New York, NYAn impressive Art Deco cigarette case with enamel and diamonds, suspended from an enameled chain. Circa 1920s.Category
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Boxes and Cases
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, Enamel
- Art Deco Cartier Jade & Coral BoxBy CartierLocated in New York, NYArt Deco Cartier Jade & Coral Box A circular box made from carved jade, mounted with a coral handle and feet, accented by half pearls. The interior of the lid is set with a mirror...Category
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Boxes and Cases
MaterialsCoral, Jade, 18k Gold
- American Sterling Silver Cigarette Case with Enamel Nautical FlagsLocated in New York, NYNautical sterling silver and enamel cigarette case. Made by Thomae in Attleboro, Mass., ca 1960. Rectangular and hinged. Signal flags enameled on front. Gi...Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Boxes and Cases
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Art Deco Cigarette Case Box Sterling and Gold Chester 1920Located in Toronto, ONAntique Art Deco Sterling silver and 9ct gold cigarette case box Chester 1920, Colen Hewer Cheshire. Very finely decorated with an ogee type engine turn design...Category
Vintage 1920s English Art Deco Boxes and Cases
MaterialsGold, Sterling Silver
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.