Tuesday Trends: Cartier Exhibition at the V & A

Recently I attended the Press Preview for the first major exhibition in 30 years of Cartier jewels and watches ant the Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington.

The exhibition opened on 12th April and is on until 16th November.

With a client list of royalty and aristocracy, Cartier started as ‘the jeweller of kings and the king of jewellers’. The brand later broadened its appeal.

Featuring over 350 objects, the exhibition charts the evolution of the house’s legacy of art, design and craftsmanship since the turn of the 20th century when the grandsons of founder Louis-François set out to create the first globally recognised jewellery house.

The exhibition includes precious jewels, historic gemstones, iconic watches and clocks as well as previously unseen drawings from the V&A and Cartier archives, together with works lent by His Majesty The King from the Royal Collection, museums and private collections.

Highlights include the Williamson Diamond brooch commissioned by Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 featuring the rare 23.6 carat pink Williamson diamond; Grace Kelly’s engagement ring (1956), from the Monaco Princely Palace Collection, that she wore in her final film High Society (1956); Elizabeth Taylor’s ‘red fire’ necklace with Burmese rubies nestled into a latticework of diamonds and a selection of Cartier timepieces  that embody its unique and pioneering approach to watchmaking.

The V&A put on the best exhibitions and this one is no exception. Definitely one to visit if you love all things gorgeous and sparkly.

Tickets are £27 on weekdays and £29 at the weekend.