Where extravagance meets artistry, Cartier introduces a triumph of heritage with its 200 creations high jewellery showcase in Phuket, Thailand
Resplendent and spectacular, as you would expect from the French Maison, Cartier recently celebrated superb craftsmanship centred around carved gems and show-stopping stones against the backdrop of the Andaman Sea. Cueing archival pieces anchored in the Maison’s mastery of jewellery and aerating treasure troves, the exhibition had an impressive display of high jewellery pieces, tracing Cartier’s history from its foundation in 1847.
Split across four themes, with galleries devoted to exploring light, movement, colours and shapes, and curiosity and wonder, the exhibition was a testimony to the Maison’s unique style and historical journey. Weaving into existence, 200 creations were displayed in unique rooms that each have its own local flair of art, materials and crafts. Wandering through each room you’ll see that the Maison always has a foot in the past and all things fantastical.
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Inside Cartier’s opulent high jewellery exhibition in Phuket, Thailand:
Making an arresting entrance, the“Carved Wood” room that’s bedecked with rich, dark wood tones and woven rattan features flora and fauna pieces such as the Croco necklace set with emerald and brilliant-cut diamonds showcasing the Maison’s relationship between jewellery and animal motifs—steeped in myth and glorified by ritual. Blending the innate sophistication and elegance of Cartier’s creations with its bold character, the room also flaunted spectacular pieces from the Panthère de Cartier and Cactus de Cartier collections.
Bridging the gap between haute joaillerie and the beaux-arts, the next room —the “Ceramics”— does a beautiful job drawing out opulent creations against a green-hued ceramic tiled room. Artfully curated and displayed in geometric shapes, this room highlighted the infamous Tichodroma ring, an impressive 10.06-carat cabochon-cut rubellite, surrounded by exquisite pieces like the Pompon necklace, Panthère des Neiges necklace, Ti Panthère necklace and Tiny Tiger watch.
A feast for fashion lovers, the following room “Silk” celebrates the fluidity of Thai silk. Highlight creations in this thematic room include the Grattacielo necklace and earrings that adorn a rare Type IIa diamond. Complementing these timeless, novel pieces are the Intrico necklace and earrings, the Voltea and the Unda sets—all capturing movements and intricate patterns exuding a dynamic flair, making a compelling dialogue between the archival gems and spectators.
For the finale, a room with a glass enclosure and gold-painted wrought iron structure exhibits the crown jewels of the showcase, the transformable Miroitement necklace and ring—a set curated with the rarest blue diamond and surrounded by flawless D-colour diamonds. The “Wrought Iron” room also features Coussin de Cartier, the Santos de Cartier skeleton watch as well as the Pasha de Cartier skeleton watch.
Wandering through these chambers, the variety and extensiveness of the collection also tell you that this is no one other than Cartier. From transcendent to transgressive, together, the creations constitute a shimmering showcase of the medium’s power. A treat, to be sure, for gem-lovers who can appreciate the rarities of nature.
Discover more about Cartier here.
