Cartier Magician: High Jewelry and Precious Objects is a book is dedicated to a new collection of high jewelry and precious objects called Cartier Magicien.
Cover of ‘Cartier Magician: High Jewelry and Precious Objects’ by François Chaille
It is a stunningly illustrated book printed on equally beautiful, glossy paper – paper that is a true joy to touch, paper that showcases the high-resolution photos printed on it as if they had always been there and never intend to leave.
Page 238 of ‘Cartier Magicien’: Quetzal necklace in white gold with one 68.82-carat cushion-shaped cabochon-cut rubellite, black lacquer, and brilliant-cut diamonds (photo courtesy Vincent Wulveryck © Cartier)
The book celebrates the legendary maison’s unique ability to bring inanimate objects to a shiny, sparkly, festive life. These pieces and the descriptions of them reveal a magical universe where the creativity of the master jeweler and watchmaker combine their talents to create veritable works of art.
Page 142 of ‘Cartier Magicien’: Apparition bracelet in platinum with two cushion-shaped Colombian emeralds totaling 15.11 carats, black jade, onyx, taper-cut diamonds, and brilliant-cut diamonds; they can be worn as earrings (photo courtesy Creation Drawings © Cartier)
“The Magic of Light” chapter begins at the end of the nineteenth century with Louis Cartier, a descendant of his high-society family with a passion for the beauty and craft of jewelry. The reason the story starts there is Louis’s quest to bring platinum to Cartier jewelry, and the explanation is riveting!
Page 83 of ‘Cartier Magicien’: Illumination bracelet in white gold with one 31.16-carat D IF type IIa emerald-cut diamond, one .80-carat D VS2 and one .77-carat D VVS1 trapezoid-shaped step-cut diamond, carved rock crystal, calibré-cut diamonds, and brilliant-cut diamonds; the diamond can be worn on a ring and be replaced by a pavé-set motif (photo courtesy Vincent Wulveryck © Cartier)
“The Magic of Design” chapter illustrates the importance of three-dimensional op-art as it figures into Cartier’s virtuosity – including the famous Mystery Clocks, but in also scintillating diamond creations and the incredibly lifelike pieces from the animal collections.
Page 62-63 of ‘Cartier Magicien’: Magie Blanche bracelet in platinum with one 10.90-carat fancy brown-yellow pear-shaped rose-cut diamond, one 2.15-carat briolette-cut diamond, briolette-cut diamonds, 48 button-shaped natural pearls totaling 66.08 grains, andbrilliant-cut diamonds (photo courtesy Vincent Wulveryck © Cartier)
The animals are where the final chapter, “The Magic of Reality,” picks up. And it is here that Jeanne Toussaint makes an appearance. See Why Is The Panther Cartier’s Pet Animal? Thank Jeanne Toussaint for a full explanation of her role in Cartier’s creativity and longevity.
Cartier weaves its magic into every jewel and every object shown in this book – which captures it all. It’s truly enchanting.
Page 43 of ‘Cartier Magicien’: Paillettes Solaires necklace in platinum and yellow gold with rose-cut diamonds and yellow, orange and white brilliant-cut diamonds (photo courtesy Vincent Wulveryck © Cartier)
François Chaille is an historian of art and decorative arts. He has already authored a number of large, glossy coffee table books for Flammarion and several books on the subject of Cartier. The example I read was in English, translated by a Deke Dusinberre. A quick online search explained to me that Dusinberre is a bilingual American literary translator who lives in Paris. The translation of this book reflects all of that; it is done so beautifully.
For more information and to purchase this book: www.amazon.com/Cartier-Magician-Precious-Magicien-Collection.
Quick Facts
Author: François Chaille
Publisher: Flammarion
Languages: English and French
Pages: 272
Illustrations: 215 in color
Binding: hardback
ISBN: 978-2-08-020307-6
Price: $125 / €95
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That looks like a must-have book and I even didn’t know it was coming out.