Cartier 18 Karat Gold Elephant Brooch
View Similar Items
Cartier 18 Karat Gold Elephant Brooch
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:18k Gold
- Stone:Emerald
- Stone Cut:Round Cut
- Place of Origin:France
- Period:1980-1989
- Date of Manufacture:1980s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: P24971stDibs: LU1147310641
Cartier
For its extraordinary range of bracelets, watches, rings and other adornments, French luxury house Cartier is undeniably one of the most well known and internationally revered jewelers in the world among clients both existing and aspirational.
Perhaps 1847 was not the ideal time to open a new watchmaking and jewelry business, as the French Revolution was not kind to the aristocracy who could afford such luxuries. Nevertheless, it was the year Louis-François Cartier (1819–1904) — who was born into poverty — founded his eponymous empire, assuming control of the workshop of watchmaker Adolphe Picard, under whom he had previously been employed as an assistant. Of course, in the beginning, it was a relatively modest affair, but by the late 1850s, Cartier had its first royal client, Princess Mathilde Bonaparte, niece of Napoleon Bonaparte, who commissioned the jeweler to design brooches, earrings and other accessories.
Under the leadership of Louis-François’s son, Alfred, who took over in 1874, business boomed. Royalty around the world wore Cartier pieces, including Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, the Maharaja of Patiala and King Edward VII, who had 27 tiaras made by the jewelry house for his coronation in 1902 and issued Cartier a royal warrant in 1904. (Today, the British royal family still dons Cartier pieces; Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, regularly sports a Ballon Bleu de Cartier watch.)
Cartier’s golden years, however, began when Alfred introduced his three sons, Louis, Pierre and Jacques, to the business. The brothers expanded Cartier globally: Louis reigned in Paris, Pierre in New York and Jacques in London, ensuring their brand’s consistency at their branches across the world. The trio also brought in such talents as Charles Jacqueau and Jeanne Toussaint.
One of Cartier’s earliest major successes was the Santos de Cartier watch — one of the world's first modern wristwatches for men. (Previously, a large number of people were using only pocket watches.) Louis designed the timepiece in 1904 for his friend, popular Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, who wanted to be able to check the time more easily while flying.
Cartier’s other famous timepieces include the Tank watch, which was inspired by the linear form of military tanks during World War I, and the so-called mystery clocks. Invented by watchmaker and magician Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin and later crafted exclusively for Cartier in the house’s workshop by watchmaker Maurice Couët, the mystery clocks were so named because the integration of glass dials on which the clocks’ hands would seemingly float as well as structures that are hidden away within the base give the illusion that they operate without machinery.
On the jewelry side of the business, Cartier’s internationally renowned offerings include the Tutti Frutti collection, which featured colorful carved gemstones inspired by Jacques’s trip to India and grew in popularity during the Art Deco years; the panthère motif, which has been incorporated into everything from brooches to rings; and the Love bracelet, a minimal, modernist locking bangle inspired by medieval chastity belts that transformed fine jewelry.
While the Cartier family sold the business following the death of Pierre in 1964, the brand continues to innovate today, renewing old hits and creating new masterpieces.
On 1stDibs, find a growing collection of contemporary and vintage Cartier watches, engagement rings, necklaces and other accessories.
- 18 Karat Yellow Gold Diamond Mesh Flower Brooch, EarringsLocated in New York, NYA quintessentially elegant suite from the 196os, comprising an 18k yellow gold mesh and diamond flower brooch with matching ear clips. Each piece features brilliant cut diamond accen...Category
Vintage 1960s Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold
- Cartier Diamond Sapphire Carved Coral Gold Griffin BroochBy CartierLocated in New York, NYAn 18k gold brooch, designed as a griffin, composed of carved coral and set with round sapphires and diamonds, the leg, tail, and wing of textured gold, signed Cartier, 1960s. dimens...Category
Vintage 1960s American Brooches
MaterialsCoral, Diamond, 18k Gold
- Cartier Diamond Sapphire Yellow Gold Platinum Bird BroochBy CartierLocated in New York, NYCartier Diamond Sapphire Bird Brooch in 18k Yellow Gold and Platinum. A curious bird posing in “contrapposto” – perched on top of a, idyllic branch. Feathers are comprised of round...Category
Vintage 1950s French Brooches
MaterialsWhite Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
- Cartier Diamond Coral Movable BroochBy CartierLocated in New York, NYComprising a unique and extravagant Cartier moveable brooch from the 1960s, finely crafted in 18k yellow gold and adorned with diamonds and vibrant coral orbs. Signed Cartier. Made ...Category
Vintage 1960s French Brooches
MaterialsCoral, Diamond, 18k Gold
- Cartier Vintage 1950s Pair Diamond Gold Diamond Bow BroochesBy CartierLocated in New York, NYCartier Vintage 1950s Pair Diamond Gold Diamond Bow Brooches A pair of 18k yellow gold swirl design brooches, set with round brilliant-cut diamonds measu...Category
Vintage 1960s Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold
- Cartier Turquoise, Diamond, Emerald Bird BroochBy CartierLocated in New York, NYCARTIER Turquoise, Diamond, Emerald Bird Brooch. An 18k yellow gold and platinum bird brooch, set with cabochon turquoise, emerald and diamonds, C...Category
Vintage 1980s French Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Emerald, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Platinum
- Iconic 18 Karat Yellow Gold Elephant Brooch, by CartierBy CartierLocated in Zurich, ZollstrasseBrooch around 1980, esigned as a family of elephants walking along a bamboo path, of polished and brushed design in soid 18 K yellow Gold, all elephants with a circular-cut emerald e...Category
Vintage 1980s French Contemporary Brooches
MaterialsEmerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Cartier 18k Yellow Gold Diamond Elephant BroochBy CartierLocated in New York, NYCartier 18K Yellow Gold Diamond Elephant Brooch. Crafted in 18K yellow gold mounted with round cut pave diamonds of E-F color VVS-VS clarity, a...Category
20th Century French Modern Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Cartier Elephant Family BroochBy CartierLocated in New York, NYCartier Elephant Family brooch in 18kt yellow gold with diamonds and three emerald “eyes.”Category
Late 20th Century Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
- Cartier Diamond Elephant BroochBy CartierLocated in New Orleans, LAThis stately and sophisticated diamond elephant brooch gold puts the spotlight on the more whimsical side of creations made by the legendary French je...Category
20th Century French Art Deco Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- 18 Karat Yellow Gold, Ruby, and Diamond Elephant BroochLocated in Brisbane, QLDAdd a touch of whimsy to your ensemble with this 18kt yellow gold elephant brooch pin, featuring a brilliant cut ruby, and a 0.07ct brilliant cut diamond. The piece has a hinged pin ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Modern Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Diamond Emerald Ruby Elephant Brooch Pin 18 Karat White GoldLocated in New York, NYThis is a fabulous vintage Retro Elephant Diamond Emerald Ruby Brooch Pin in 18 Karat White Gold. The wonderful elephant brooch is absolutely char...Category
20th Century Unknown Retro Brooches
MaterialsEmerald, Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold, White Gold
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
How to Spot a Fake Cartier Love Bracelet
This iconic jewel has captured countless hearts with its elegant design and its amatory symbolism. Counterfeiters have taken note of the demand and created fake versions. If you’re looking for a genuine Cartier Love bracelet, it’s crucial to check all the elements for authenticity. Our guide will teach you the telltale traits of a knockoff.
The 14 Most Iconic Watches for Women
Style, craft and heritage combine to make these designs undeniable classics.