Explore Cartier’s Oriental influences in Shanghai and royal legacy in London

Shanghai: A mystical fusion of East and West

From now to February 17, Shanghai will glitter with enchantment as Cartier, the Power of Magic takes centrestage at the Shanghai Museum East. A cultural milestone, the exhibition marks its place in the Sino-French Cultural Spring Art Festival and the Franco-Chinese Year of Cultural Tourism — with Cartier and the museum reuniting to celebrate the enduring artistic dialogue between East and West two decades after the groundbreaking Art of Cartier exhibition.

Featuring over 300 pieces from the Cartier Collection and prominent museums worldwide, the exhibition focuses on the theme of magic — an intrinsic, yet often overlooked, aspect of jewellery. The experience is brought to life by renowned artist Cai Guo-Qiang, whose AI-driven team, cAI, merges advanced technology with traditional Chinese craftsmanship.

The show space is adorned with Ni Zan-style landscape visuals and Chinese courtyard manuscripts, beautifully reimagined in carved ceramics and stones crafted by artisans in Cai’s hometown of Quanzhou. This unique scenography highlights the maison’s innovative design philosophy while paying homage to the profound heritage of Chinese culture.

The interplay of East and West is a central theme, revealing how ancient Chinese art has influenced Cartier’s creations. Chu Xiaobo, director of the Shanghai Museum, explains, “Cartier’s designs resonate with the timeless value of Chinese art, blending the refined elegance of antiques with the vibrancy of nature.”

While the result is a collection that embodies a shared appreciation for beauty, tradition, and innovation, Cartier’s Pierre Rainero underscores the ultimate purpose of the event. The house’s image, style, and heritage director elaborates, “This is not just a showcase of jewellery; it is an exploration of the magical essence that connects cultures and artistry. By delving into the bonds between China and Cartier, we uncover a fresh perspective on the maison’s creative legacy.”

London: A chronicle of Cartier’s glorious reign

Coming up this spring is Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) South Kensington’s monumental celebration of Cartier’s history. Running from April 12 to November 16, the exhibition, simply entitled Cartier, will be the UK’s first major show in nearly 30 years dedicated to the maison’s creations.

With over 350 masterpieces on display, it promises an in-depth look at how Cartier rose to prominence as a juggernaut in jewellery and watchmaking. The retrospective charts Cartier’s journey from its origins in 1847 Paris to its establishment as a global force under the leadership of founder Louis-François Cartier’s grandsons: Louis, Pierre, and Jacques Cartier. By the early 20th century, the house had expanded to London and New York, cultivating a clientele that included royalty, aristocracy, and luminaries of cinema, music, and fashion.

The exhibition’s treasures include historic gemstones, iconic watches, intricate clocks, and unseen drawings from both Cartier and V&A’s archives. Adding to its prestige, priceless works lent by His Majesty The King from the Royal Collection, major international museums, and private collectors will be featured.

The show also delves into Cartier’s artistic evolution, highlighting its innovative use of materials and techniques. One highlight emblematic of the maison’s style is a Tutti Frutti bandeau, which flaunts its signature gem combination of emeralds, rubies, and blue sapphires accented with diamonds, as well as its bold combination of volumes, colours and shapes.

Dubbed “the jeweller of kings and the king of jewellers”, Cartier’s creations have adorned everyone from Princess of Wales Kate Middleton to Hollywood star Elizabeth Taylor. Their respective wedding day Cartier Halo tiara, and necklace bearing the 69.42-carat Taylor-Burton diamond, are key pieces you can look forward to.