The Victoria and Albert Museum will soon open the doors to what promises to be one of the most glittering spectacles in recent memory: the UK’s first major Cartier exhibition in nearly three decades. With over 350 remarkable pieces on display — from dazzling tiaras and historic gemstones to iconic watches and showstopping objets d’art — the show invites visitors to trace the evolution of a house that defined, and continues to redefine, the art of adornment.
The exhibition charts Cartier’s transformation from a Parisian family business into the world’s first truly global jewellery house. It was the visionary ambition of the founder’s three grandsons that propelled Cartier to international renown in the early 20th century, establishing boutiques in Paris, London and New York and securing the brand’s reputation as “the jeweller of kings and king of jewellers.” Royals, aristocrats, film stars, and cultural luminaries alike have long flocked to Cartier’s salons, each dazzled by the Maison’s unique blend of innovation and classicism.
Beyond the breathtaking diamonds and glittering sapphires, this is a story of craftsmanship and cultural influence — of bold design choices, technical mastery, and an ever-shifting dialogue between heritage and modernity. Highlights will include rarely seen drawings from the V&A and Cartier archives, loans from His Majesty The King’s Royal Collection, and treasures from major museums and private collections around the world.
In an age when the line between fine art and fine jewellery grows ever more porous, this exhibition reminds us that Cartier has always existed at that intersection — balancing timeless elegance with a restless spirit of reinvention. For visitors, it is a rare chance to glimpse up close the enduring legacy of a house whose creations continue to glitter on wrists, necks and crowns — and in the cultural imagination.
The exhibition is open now to November 16.
