Not all Cartier objects are jewelry. The century old jeweler to nobility and the famous turned out an enormous array of luxury goods over the years. Each object became a window into the times and lifestyle of the era in which it was produced. The venerable house of Cartier created lavish rare jewelry including tiaras for their aristocratic clientele, which were plenteous. During the Art Deco period they were considered to be the dominant jeweler of high society around the world. At auction one can still find Cartier’s cocktail and smoking accessories, which were wildly popular in the 1920s.
These are true rarities owing to the expert craftsmanship used in their ingenious design, and because of the rare and valuable jeweled embellishments. Several clocks were produced, but it’s difficult to know how many survived.
Today one can find these artful timepieces in private collections or sneak a peek at them when they are offered up for auction. A rare Cartier mystery clock earned almost $900,000 US in a 2014 Sotheby’s Geneva auction; a testament to how collectible they are worldwide.
Award winning trade journalist and gemologist Diana Jarrett is a Registered Master Valuer Appraiser and a member of the Association of Independent Jewellery Valuers (AIJV). She’s a popular speaker at conferences and trade shows. Jarrett writes for trade and consumer publications, online outlets, her blog: Color-n-Ice, and www.jewelrywebsitedesigners.com. Contact her at info@dianajarrett.com, visit her website at www.dianajarrett.com, and follow her on Facebook and Twitter (Loupey).