Prepare yourselves to be dazzled in March 2018 when the National Gallery of Australia presents their blockbuster exhibition – Cartier: The Exhibition.
More than 300 Cartier pieces, carefully and expertly curated to present the prestigious French jewellery house’s creative maturity during the 20th century will be on display for Australians to marvel at.
While Cartier has lent pieces to exhibitions in Australia before, this is the first time they are doing a solo exhibition.
Stomacher Brooch – approximately 51 carats of sapphires with round old and rose-cut diamonds in a platinum millegrain setting
We spoke to Rene Frank from Cartier who travelled with the pieces on show at the media preview.
How do you normally pick the pieces for an exhibition when you work with Cartier?
Each exhibition is different. It is the choice of the museum director how the exhibition is to be shaped. They choose the curator and the scenographer. It is very important for Cartier that the exhibitions are not curated by Cartier staff. Of course, we have a curator at Cartier, but they are more like the keeper of the collection and their role is to support the expertise of the exhibition curator. Depending on the type of exhibition, the curators can be specialists on jewellery or decorative art.
Detail of Cartier Crocodile Necklace – Navette-shaped emeral cabochos for the eyes and 1023 brilliant-cut fancy intense yellow diamonds (60.02 carats)
So how different will the exhibition coming to Canberra in March 2018 be to exhibitions that have been to Australia before?
Well, this is the first time that there has been an exhibition in Australia.
Ever?
Yes, ever. The Cartier collection has been lent to appear in public exhibitions before. It is not the first time that we have lent pieces to Australian museums, but it was only a few pieces. This is the only exhibition dedicated to Cartier.
Rubies and diamonds encrusted earrings with matching necklace and bracelet (not pictured)
Do you have a favourite piece that will be part of the exhibition in March?
What is unique about this exhibition is that we have important pieces on loan from the Royal Family and also from the V&A Museum. For the first time they are lending the Tutti-Frutti Bandeau which belonged to Lady Mountbatten, so this is very unique. The loan of the Halo Tiara worn by the Duchess of Cambridge on her wedding day is really a great loan.
The Halo Tiara worn by Kate Middleton on her wedding day
Cartier: The exhibition (March 30—22 July) is sure to appeal to a wide range of visitors. For the jewellery enthusiast who will imagine wearing one of the pieces, the art deco lover who will appreciate the intricate, carefully arranged stones in the pieces, the architecture buff who will welcome the planned design of each piece, to the Royalty, aristocrat and global socialite fan who will get an insight into the jewels of their favourite people, this exhibition is a once in a lifetime opportunity to admire carefully crafted pieces.
We managed to get a sneak peek at some of the items that will be part of the exhibition. Gerard Vaughan, National Gallery of Australia Director and Pierre Rainero, Image, Style and Heritage Director, Cartier showcased these items at the NGA preview of the exhibition.
Pierre Raniero, Image, Style and Heritage Director at Cartier demonstrates the versatility of the Crocodile necklace
