Cartier Pair of Art Deco Candelabra, Paris, circa 1930

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Cartier Pair of Art Deco Candelabra, Paris, circa 1930

About the Item

Pair of Art Deco Candelabra Made by Robert Linzeler for Cartier, Paris, circa 1930 A pair of candelabra each composed of two candle cups surmounting stepped forms of concentric circles connected by silver arms to a central post of black lacquer and cut glass topped by a red-lacquer sugarloaf imitating coral, the base of silver with decorative channels enhancing the curved form; mounted in sterling silver, with assay marks • Signed Cartier, Made in France, stamped RL for Robert Linzeler • Each: 9 x 2 1/2 x 9 3/4 inches Biography Cartier was founded in Paris in 1847 by Louis-François Cartier. His three grandsons, Louis, Pierre, and Jacques, built the house into a famous international jewelry empire serving royalty, Hollywood stars, and socialites. Cartier has created some of the most important jewelry and objects of art of the twentieth century with many iconic designs such as mystery clocks, Tutti Frutti jewelry and the Panthère line. In 1983, The Cartier Collection was established with the objective of acquiring important pieces that trace the firm's artistic evolution. Today, Cartier has 200 stores in 125 countries. Significance The need for safe and contained light goes back to the dawn of civilization. From fires and torches, candle making developed independently in Ancient Egypt, Rome, China, and India as far back as 3,000 b.c.e. with wax made from various plants and animals. The Romans made candelabra to hold their source of light, and archaeologist at Pompeii found a multitude of tall slender shafts supported by volutes and acanthus leaves so lavish they were copied by Renaissance artists. In the Middle Ages, candles and candelabra became important in ritualized religious ceremonies across faiths as a representation of power and love. In the late 1800s, kerosene largely replaced candles as a source of light indoors and the fuel was in turn replaced by electricity in most houses in the 1920s. When Robert Linzeler created these exquisite candelabra for Cartier around 1930, candles were employed at dinner parties for their beauty as a source of warm flickering light. The exquisite cut crystal on the bases of this pair is designed to catch and scatter the light from the flame. Subtle details by a masterful designer give a nod to the Machine Age aesthetic that became popular with artist-jewelers in the 1930s. The candle-cups surmount stepped forms of concentric circles that bring to mind spinning machine parts, held in place by mechanical arms. The remaining details are pure Art Deco geometry, from the cuboid shaft, to the carved channels on the elegantly curved base. This pair of candelabra was created by Robert Linzeler, a master silversmith working in Paris. At the turn of the century, Linzeler succeeded Juels Piault as the silversmith to Napoleon III and produced Paul Iribe’s jewels in 1911. In 1922, he partnered with Alexander Marchak. Linzeler et Marchak was one of only 30 exhibitors invited to show at the Paris 1925 Exposition des Arts Decoratifs where they won the Grand Prix for their immaculate jeweled boxes. After the exhibition, their partnership ended and Linzeler returned to manufacturing, often creating for Cartier, and the firm eventually purchased one of his workshops. This pair of candelabra was created in that brief period and is an impressive work of art modernizing an ancient form with exquisite design choices demonstrating Linzeler’s and Cartier’s ability to transform ordinary objects into coveted possessions. These candelabra would be beautiful lighting any table.

Creator:
Cartier
Style:
Art Deco
Place of Origin:
France
Period:
1930-1939
Date of Manufacture:
c.1930
Condition:
Seller Location:
New York, NY
Reference Number:
Seller: F72281stDibs: LU2075216468002

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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.