Cartier’s latest release, the third chapter from the Nature Sauvage collection, draws deeply from the wellspring of nature, intertwining artistry and craftsmanship in a manner that transcends mere adornment. At the heart of the high-jewellery collection lies an exploration of the animal kingdom, where creatures both real and imagined come to life in breathtaking designs as glittering kings of the jungle in perpetual repose.
As we peruse the maison’s offerings, the cynosure of all eyes are the Echina necklace, Panthères Versatiles necklace, Panthère Canopée necklace, Tigre necklace, and Ispida ring. Each piece is a narrative, a vivid portrayal of the majesty found in the wilderness, expertly crafted to evoke a sense of wonder, provocative danger, and irresistible intrigue.
Jacqueline Karachi, creative director of high jewellery at Cartier, encapsulates the spirit of this collection: “A new perspective of the Cartier fauna, to surprise, amaze, and bring modernity by way of unexpected encounters.” Each creation serves as a testament to the maison’s dedication to storytelling through jewellery, showcasing vitality and personality.
Among the standout pieces, the captivating Tigre necklace embodies a powerful liveliness. Crafted from an array of yellow, orange, and brown diamonds, alongside meticulously cut onyx spots, this creation is as realistic as it is stylised. The articulated paw adds an ultimate touch of realism, ensuring that the wearer’s presence is commanding and elegant.
The Echina necklace exemplifies Cartier’s unparalleled craftsmanship when it comes to designs that look like a kaleidoscope pattern. Drawing inspiration from the harmonious interplay between nature and geometry, this exquisite creation merging the sumptuous elegance of ribbed emerald beads with the organic form of a sea urchin shell. A captivating arrangement of coral-studded emeralds is interspersed with sapphires, creating a striking visual narrative. Set against open-worked, diamond-paved lacework, the piece evokes the depths of the ocean, with its shifting aquatic hues reflecting the beauty of the natural world.
Among jewellery journalists, it’s been a point well-made across that the Echina necklace pays homage to Cartier’s own rich history, recalling the introduction of ribbed beads in the 1920s, a hallmark of the maison’s design legacy. It’s a masterful blend of naturalistic inspiration and graphic abstraction that showcases Cartier’s visionary approach to jewellery, effortlessly capturing the essence of life and elegance. Each detail invites a second look, making the Echina necklace not merely a piece of adornment, but a celebration of the perfected craftsmanship that defines Cartier’s enduring and eternal allure.
Whether one is drawn to the architectural elegance of the Panthères Canopée necklace or the ethereal beauty of the Ispida ring, this collection invites connoisseurs to celebrate the connection between nature and art. In the hands of Cartier, jewellery transcends its traditional role, becoming an expression of identity, emotion, and the boundless wonders of the natural world. “Having jewellery is a temporary gift. We owners are just the caretakers,” Hollywood icon Elizabeth Taylor once famously said of rare and exquisite pieces. Her extraordinary trove of jewellery, which had been collected in her eventful lifetime, was finally auctioned off at a record-breaking US$115.9 million (HK$901 million). As the pieces, now scattered around the globe, settle into the hands of new ownership, one is reminded of her resonant words: “Nobody ever owns anything this beautiful. We are only the guardians.”
All images courtesy of Cartier.
