"Alone in the world, they are protected by the Panther, who infuses them with her audacity and creativity."

Cartier was founded in 1847 when Louis-François Cartier took over Adolphe Picard's, his master, workshop  in Paris. In 1855, Princess Mathilde, cousin of Emperor Napoleon III, bought a Cartier creation for the first time, thus launching the Maison into Parisian high society and among the international elite of the time. Thus, Louis-François Cartier earned the title “Jeweler of Kings and the King of Jewelers” by King Edward VII, king of the United Kingdom. 

Louis-François made sure that the company remained a family business for a long time (Cartier was family owned until 1964), he was therefore succeeded by his son Alfred, which in turn was succeeded by his sons including Louis who will shape the brand's image and legacy. 

The artist George Barbier was commissioned by Louis Cartier, grandson of the company’s founder, to illustrate Dame à la Panthère (‘Lady with a Panther’) as a display card for new jewelry collection. 

A powerful woman's name you need to remember: Jeanne Toussaint, friend of Coco Chanel and lover of Louis Cartier. This woman had a fascinating and cahotic life. She seems to have left her home very young, finding herself rich and influential lovers and ending up in Paris. Her friendship with Coco Channel is emblematic of womanhood and the new found freedom of women of the 1920s. 

Louis was already overseeing Cartier’s transition from the Garland style into Art Deco and probably relied heavily on Jeanne’s taste.  She accompanied him to India, which he had been visiting since the 1910s, cultivating his relationships with the rich Maharajas. 

In 1933, the latter made her the artistic director of his house, a position she remained in until 1970.

Travels and culture: France, Asia,  Iran 

Watches: one of the first wristwatches 

Broches 

Cigarette boxes 

the mystery clocks, fashionable wristwatches and exotic orientalist Art Deco designs, including the colorful "Tutti Frutti" jewels. 

Cartier is now part of the Richemont Group.