Cartier at the V&A
and all the extras you need to know about before it opens
When the Cartier exhibition was announced I was beyond curious to see what they would have on display. And now we know. They will have over 350 objects highlighting the heritage and design of their jewellery, brooches and watches.
With so much interest in the exhibition ahead of its opening next week I wanted to let you know that the museum has curated a host of jewellery-related courses and talks, and that’s before we even come to London Craft Week at the museum.
But first the exhibition
Cartier, with its enviable client list of royalty and aristocracy, became known as ‘the jeweller of kings and the king of jewellers’. It later broadened its appeal thanks to the devotion of leading creatives from the worlds of cinema, music and fashion. Its allure continues to this day.
The exhibition will include the Scroll Tiara, commissioned in 1902 and worn to the coronation of Elizabeth II, and Grace Kelly’s engagement ring (1956), Hollywood’s golden girl who wore the gem in her final film High Society.
All this before we come to the watches, which I am obsessed by. Sadly I had my most precious Cartier watches stolen back in 2013. My most treasured was the American Tank, given to me by my husband on my 30th birthday. A guilty pleasure is going to vintage fairs looking out for those old Cartier watches that are truly elegant, timeless pieces.
The exhibition will have a selection of watches from the 60’s, including the iconic Crash Watch (1967), an unrivalled collection of mystery clocks with floating hands and pieces that show the test of time and how Cartier shaped their designs from 1904 to the modern day.
Cartier | Ticket information
The Cartier exhibition is hitting the higher end of ticket prices and yet already almost sold out for April and every weekend in May (before it has even opened!).
Book your Cartier tickets now or consider becoming a member. Membership means you can see any exhibition as many times as you want, and you’ll be the first in line to see the Marie Antoinette exhibition in September, plus all the other perks.
📅 Tickets £27 weekdays / £29 weekends.