Never before have so many incredible diamonds, emeralds and other precious stones been seen in Australia. Cartier: The Exhibition showcases more than 300 spectacular items, with loans from royal families, celebrities and the astonishing Cartier Collection itself, in exquisite settings such as royal tiaras, necklaces, brooches and earrings.
The exhibition explores Cartier’s glittering international clientele that included royalty, aristocrats, socialites, and stars of the stage, cinema and music. Highlights include Dame Nellie Melba’s diamond stomacher brooch, the Queen’s “Halo” tiara, worn by Kate Middleton at her wedding to Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Daisy Fellowes’ Tutti-Frutti Hindu necklace, Barbara Hutton’s imperial jadeite necklace, Princess Grace of Monaco’s 10.48-carat diamond engagement ring, Dame Elizabeth Taylor’s diamond and ruby necklace (a gift from her third husband Mike Todd which also doubles as a tiara) and a selection from the NGA’s exceptional Ballets Russes costumes.
As well as an intriguing array of Cartier jewellery, timepieces and precious objects, the immersive exhibition includes a selection of original preparatory drawings, as well as portraits, historic photographs, film, advertising material, jewellery-making tools and equipment to provide insight into the history of Cartier.
Step into the dazzling world of the Maison Cartier and its clients and discover the age of glamour and icons of style through our program of talks, tours, events and beautifully curated, fully illustrated catalogue.
To purchase your ticket to Cartier: The Exhibition, select the date from the calendar and your ticket option. Open daily 10am–5pm. You can purchase your tickets at the Gallery as well as online.
Due to popular demand Cartier: The Exhibition will be open until 6pm on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 July , as well as Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 July . The rest of the Gallery will close at 5pm.
Premium tickets provide access to exclusive exhibition viewing with a limited group of people before the doors open to the general public. Available every weekend from 9am–10am.
You can continue to enjoy the exhibition after 10am until 5pm.
Purchase a season pass and have the freedom to experience Cartier: The Exhibition as many times as you like from 10am–5pm until July 22.
A rich calendar of events are available to coincide with the exhibition.
Join a Gallery Guide for a tour of the exhibition. Exhibition ticket required.
For further information call +61 2 6240 6411
Audio guides are available for adults in English and Chinese (Mandarin) with a special tour for children. Hire an iPod from the NGA preloaded with all tours for $7. These can be pre-purchased to be collected when you arrive. Download the free NGA Cartier exhibition audio guide from the Apple or Google Play app stores onto your own device.
Guided tours with an Auslan interpreter will be scheduled during the exhibition. See What’s On for dates and times. Multimedia tours for adults and children include a readable transcript along with audio and images for accessibility. Visitors can hire an iPod from the NGA for $7. Download the NGA Cartier tour app from the Apple or Google Play app stores.
We would like to share with you a bit more information about some of the fabulous pieces in Cartier: The Exhibition at the NGA.
When you visit the exhibition at the NGA make sure you pick up a free Cartier Kids infinity flipper which will help you find four of the dazzling pieces from the list below. There’s even an audio tour available where you get to tour the exhibition with a Cartier master jeweller.
Weighing in at 478 carats, this is one of the largest sapphires in the world. It has been worn to royal weddings and elegant parties. Where might you wear such a jewel?
Cartier Paris Pendant 1913, platinum, sapphire (478 carats), diamonds 4.9 x 3.9 x 2.5 cm Qatar Museums Authority
When you visit Cartier: The Exhibition you will find this work in; Refined Elegance: Cartier and the Garland Style.
To Ancient Egyptians it was a symbol of luck, fortune and rebirth. These pieces include ancient Egyptian faience or blue glazed ceramics in the design. What ancient cultures and styles inspire you?
Cartier London Scarab brooch 1925,gold, platinum, round old- and single-cut diamonds, ruby, emerald, citrine and onyx cabochons, Egyptian faience 12.4 x 5.5 x 1.9 cm Photo: Nils Herrmann, Cartier Collection © Cartier
When you visit Cartier: The Exhibition you will find this work in; Foreign Fascination.
Cartier made this necklace for Maharaja Bupindher Singh of Patiala. It is one of the most luxurious pieces of jewellery ever made. Do you ever dress up to have your photo taken?
Cartier Paris Necklace 1928, special order platinum, old- and rose-cut diamonds, 1 cushion-shaped yellow zirconia, 4 white zirconias, 13 white topazes, 2 synthetic rubies, 1 smoky quartz, 1 citrine 27 cm (height at centre) Photo: Nick Welsh, Cartier Collection, © Cartier
When you visit Cartier: The Exhibition you will find this work in; Foreign Fascination.
Cartier London Williamson brooch 1953, special order platinum, 170 brilliant-cut, 12 baguette-cut and 21 marquise-cut diamonds, 1 brilliant-cut pink diamond (23.6 carats) 10 x 5.5 cm lent by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Royal Collection Trust/All Rights Reserved
When you visit Cartier: The Exhibition you will find this work in ; Royal Style: Jeweller of Kings and King of Jewellers and also on the printed infinity flipper
The patterns you can see inside this huge 143.23 carat cushion shaped emerald swirl like currents within its green heart. These patterns are called jardins which is French for gardens. What else is this green?
Cartier London Necklace 1932, special order, platinum, round old- and rose-cut diamonds, 1 cushion-shaped polished emerald (143.23 carats) 8.8 cm (height at centre) Photo: Nils Herrmann, Cartier Collection © Cartier
When you visit Cartier: The Exhibition you will find this work in ; Cartier: The Essence of Glamour and also on the printed infinity flipper
Cartier is famous for their animal designs, especially panthers like this one which curls around a brilliant blue sapphire of 152.35 carats. What other animals have you seen in the exhibition?
Cartier Paris Panther clip brooch 1949, platinum, white gold, single-cut diamonds, 2 pear-shaped yellow diamonds, 1 Kashmir sapphire cabochon (152.35 carats), sapphire cabochons 6 x 3.7 x 3 cm Photo: Marian Gérard, Cartier Collection, © Cartier
When you visit Cartier: The Exhibition you will find this work in ; Cartier: The Essence of Glamour and also on the printed infinity flipper
The warm red of these rubies sparkle across the set of necklace, earnings and bracelet. The five shapes at the front of the necklace can also be worn as separate brooches. What is your favourite colour gemstone?
Cartier Paris Necklace, bracelet and pair of earrings 1951, special order platinum, gold, brilliant-, baguette-, modified baguette- and fancy-cut diamonds, cushion-shaped and round faceted Burmese rubies 37 cm (length necklace); 6.2 cm (length bracelet); 6 cm (length earrings) Photo: Marian Gérard, Cartier Collection, © Cartier
When you visit Cartier: The Exhibition you will find this work in ; Cartier: The Essence of Glamour and also on the printed infinity flipper
With thousands of precious stones this Snake necklace has so many moving parts it can curl around your neck like a just like a real snake might. Do you have any jewellery that moves like a real animal?
Cartier Paris Snake necklace 1968, special order, platinum, white and yellow gold, 2473 brilliant- and baguette-cut diamonds (178.21 carats), 2 pear-shaped emeralds, enamel 57 cm (length) Photo: Nick Welsh, Cartier Collection, © Cartier
When you visit Cartier: The Exhibition you will find this work in ; Cartier: The Essence of Glamour and also on the printed infinity flipper
