Sapphire, Diamond & Gold
Paris, circa 1955
By Cartier
Designed as a round cabochon sapphire, part bordered by a c scroll of round brilliant cut diamonds, punctuating three gold curves, stepped & graduated, the longest curve channel set with calibre sapphires, one earring signed cartier paris, both serieal numbered l8371, french gold assaymarks & partial workshop mark.
£25,000
Cartier is a French jewellery house founded in 1847 by Louis-Francois Cartier. The house's history started when Louis-Francois Cartier took over master-craftsman Adolphe Picard's atelier in Paris and began creating elegant jewellery recognisable for the use of platinum. The French aristocracy was soon enchanted by the fine jewellery, andvPrincess Mathilde, niece of Napoleon I, made her first purchase in 1856. Three years later, the Empress Eugenie joined the list of Cartier admirers, and in 1859, Cartier opened a boutique on the Boulevard des Italiens in Paris. In 1899, Alfred and his son Louis Cartier created the first fine wrist watch with diamonds. The piece was a great success, and that same year, 1899, a new Cartier boutique was inaugurated in Paris, at 13 Rue de la Paix, that would go on to become the hub of the house's expertise.
