At this year's Biennale des Antiquaires, Cartier confidently unveiled a staggering collection of almost 150 jewels that jewellery is all about movement interpreted into different landscapes: Temporal, Luxiariant, Solar, Boreal, and Urban from the frosty Artic to the heat of the desert or the pounding rhythms of the city.The variety of pieces on show was more diverse than other years yet each one unmistakebly Cartier.
Cartier Creative Director Jacqueline Karachi-Langane explained that although what we saw was a vast variety of forms, cuts of stones and types of materials, there were many unifying connections to this globe-spanning collection. The collection took two years to make the and each is of course, a one-off but amongst these newcomers is one familiar face: the Panther. The new ring is playful take on this feline with its tail curled around the large sapphire. There are also twelve precious objects and selected jewellery from the 'Cartier Tradition' collection of vintage pieces.
Another striking trend seen at Cartier is the variety of colour palettes in the varying 'landscapes' that Jacqueline Karachi-Langane referred to. We see stark blacks and whites with platinum and onyx elements, deep green emeralds, scintillating sapphires that draw you closer and briolette aquamarines, as well as a multitude of other colours to soothe the eye amongst the brilliance of so many impressive diamonds.
Cartier have been a part of the Biennale since 1964 and this year will see them as the largest exhibitor of all, with a 250m2 stand designed by renowned French designer Tristan Auer.
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Cartier Solar Necklace - Platinum, one 40.20-carat imperial topaz, two non nacreous natural pearls totalling 65.05 grains, onyx, topaz, rock crystal, brilliants. PHOTO Julien Claessens & Thomas Deschamps © Cartier 2012
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Cartier Solar Necklace - Platinum, one 10.33-carat imperial topaz, one 9.08-carat cushion-shaped yellow sapphire, cornelian, natural pearls totalling 72.70 grains, brown diamonds, brilliants. PHOTO Julien Claessens & Thomas Deschamps © Cartier 2012
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Cartier Solar ring with a 10.04ct padparadscha sapphire and brilliant-cut diamonds, set in platinum.
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Cartier Solar ring - Platinum, one 5.38-carat padparadscha sapphire, one 54.63-grain natural pearl, brown diamonds, brilliants. PHOTO Julien Claessens & Thomas Deschamps © Cartier 2012
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Cartier Solar tiger bracelet - White gold, brown, orange and yellow diamonds, onyx, yellow-orange diamond eyes, brilliants. PHOTO Nils Herrmann © Cartier 2012
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Cartier Urban secret watch - White gold, two octogonal-shaped pink kunzites totalling 91.45 carats, baguette-cut diamonds, square-shaped diamonds, brilliants, quartz movement. PHOTO Vincent Wulveryck © Cartier 2011
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Cartier Urban Bracelet - White gold, carved rock crystal, baguette-cut diamonds, onyx, brilliants. PHOTO Nils Herrmann © Cartier 2012
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Cartier Urban ring - Platinum, four carved pink sapphires, one ruby bead, carved moonstones, brilliants. PHOTO Julien Claessens & Thomas Deschamps © Cartier 2012
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Cartier Urban ring - Platinum, one 10.77-carat square-shaped emerald, baguette-cut diamonds, onyx, brilliants. PHOTO Vincent Wulveryck © Cartier 2012
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Cartier Urban ring - White gold, brilliants. PHOTO Vincent Wulveryck © Cartier 2012
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Cartier Urban ring - Platinum, one 17.13-carat cushion-shaped yellow sapphire, onyx, brilliants. PHOTO Julien Claessens & Thomas Deschamps © Cartier 2012
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Cartier Urban Necklace - White gold, one briolette-cut diamond, rock crystal, brilliants. PHOTO Vincent Wulveryck © Cartier 2012