Cover The Cartier Beautés du Monde High Jewellery exhibition in Capella Singapore
The Cartier Beautés du Monde High Jewellery exhibition in Capella Singapore
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Sumptuous, extravagant and luxurious, these high jewellery are designed to be shown off
The Cartier brothers—Louis, Pierre and Jacques—have always been avid travellers and their curiosity and exploration of distant lands and cultures inspire every nuance of their designs. Continuing this tradition, the Beautés du Monde High Jewellery collection celebrates the beauty of the natural world and the diversity of cultural traditions.
The Beautés du Monde exhibition in Capella Singapore
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Drawing on this very spirit of travel and discovery, Cartier brought the collection to our part of the world following its unveiling in Madrid. There in the tranquil setting of Capella Singapore, its grand ballroom was completely transformed into a maze-like exhibition, with mystical arches inviting the curious to explore the thematic salons that house an amazing display of 200 creations, which Tatler was privileged to see up close. The scenography has a whimsical, otherworldly vibe similar to that of the Madrid installation, which was designed by the Spanish artist and designer Jaime Hayon.
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Akin to a cabinet of curiosities, the collection aims to showcase the three important pillars that Cartier has paid homage to for more than a century—the world of minerals, flora and fauna, and that of the cultural and imaginary. Also, influences from China, Russia, India, the Middle East and Africa harkening back to the brothers’ travels abroad inform its design aesthetic through decorative and symbolic motifs.
Above The Cartier Pankha necklace adorned with sapphires, rubies and emeralds
Above The Cartier Pankha ring
The Cartier Pankha necklace adorned with sapphires, rubies and emeralds
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Take for instance iconic pieces like the Tutti Frutti necklace. Its resplendent sapphires, rubies and emeralds sculpted by Indian stone carvers to resemble leaves, buds and berries recall Jacques Cartier’s visit to India in 1911. Created in 1920 using a technique developed by the Mughals in the 17th century, it was inspired by the ceremonial necklace of the maharajahs and continues to endure as a Cartier emblem.
Its 2022 iteration, the Pankha, is a sumptuous set of necklace, earrings and ring that took 1,273 hours to handcraft.
Above Jisoo wearing the Cartier Nitescence necklace
Above Cartier Nitescence diamond necklace with a cushion-shaped diamond pendant
Jisoo wearing the Cartier Nitescence necklace
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Throughout his lifetime, Louis Cartier has amassed a wide collection of objets d’art, antiques and prints from Persia, Arabia, Egypt, India, Japan and China, and was considered a great bibliophile of his time. His passion for these arts opened the door to a new stylistic vocabulary for the house of Cartier, using a play of symmetry and asymmetry in its creations.
This can be seen in the Nitescence necklace, which highlights the brilliance of diamonds thanks to the harmonious interlocking of stones cut in triangular and square shapes of varying sizes. The necklace features a rare 15.05-carat D IF Type IIa cushion-shaped diamond pendant which can be removed so it can be transformed into a tiara or a bracelet.
See also: Who Will Inherit Queen Elizabeth II’s Crown Jewels and Tiaras Worth Millions?
Above The Cartier Giravolta ruby necklace
The Cartier Giravolta ruby necklace
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A lesson in simplicity, the Giravolta necklace is a stunning piece to behold. It is rare to have a pair of rubies in the same colour; to be able to have a whole suite of them is even rarer, which inspired the jeweller to create this beautiful necklace in clean, graphic patterns featuring moon-shaped gemstones outlined by diamonds.
Above Actress Golshifteh Farahani looks radiant wearing the Iwana necklace for Cartier’s high jewellery campaign
Actress Golshifteh Farahani looks radiant wearing the Iwana necklace for Cartier’s high jewellery campaign
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Cartier continues to hold us spellbound with its lifelike compositions of the animal kingdom. Like the parrot brooch that seems to want to tell you a secret with a tilt of its head, the magnificent iridescence of a butterfly wing, or its emblematic panther that shows a different side to its character from playful to protective with each creation.
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A structural piece of work but feels supple and comfortable to wear, the Iwana necklace features three large Colombian emeralds totalling 43.31 carats. Inspired by the iguana, the emeralds are cut to reveal triangular-shaped facets and inclusions to evoke the scales of the reptile.
Above The Cartier Panthère Héroïque necklace
Above The Cartier Panthère Héroïque ring
The Cartier Panthère Héroïque necklace
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Last but not least is the Panthère Héroïque necklace which pays tribute to Cartier’s creative director Jeanne Toussaint, the tastemaker who popularised its iconic panthère range. It features a beautiful interpretation of the panther which seems to protect something that is very dear to her.
If you take a closer look, you will see the animal holding on to the emerald and the way its tail curls protectively around the stone. The little emerald tassels below resemble the lush foliage that the panther is surrounded by. This is also a transformable piece where the tassel can be removed and fixed at the back of the necklace or used as a brooch.
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Elizabeth Soong is the managing editor of Malaysia Tatler. She loves a good laugh, but is serious when it comes to work, and gets a high from dancing, cats purring, plus enjoys musicals or binge-watching a good TV series. Continually inspired by the people she meets, edits and writes about, you're welcome to see what she's up to on her Instagram @lizsoong.
