A Glimpse Into Christmas in Cartier London a Century Ago

To kick off December, a glimpse behind the scenes of Christmas in Cartier London 106 years ago.. This card was sent to clients in 1915, when a raging world war had forced many employees - and clients - to exchange tiaras for the trenches. Jacques, the youngest Cartier brother who had established the 175 New Bond Street branch just six years earlier, was among those fighting for his country. Rather than celebrating Christmas - and his wedding anniversary - with champagne (he had married my g-grandmother Nelly just 3 years earlier), he was leading his cavalry regiment, Les Dragons, into dangerous battle in France’s Champagne region.

And yet, though far from family and firm, Jacques remained heavily involved in the management of the #175NewBondStreet through letters. He felt a strong sense of duty to keep #CartierLondon going, believed that his dedicated, brave employees should have a business to return to once war was over. Hence this card…a snapshot of social history that includes, of course, a respectful reference to #worldwarone - it shows the allies flags on the front “with the respectful complements of Messrs Cartier” – but also reveals the family’s steely determination and pragmatism, a refusal to give up even when confronted with a cataclysmic world war. Inside it reads “Messieurs Cartiers have the pleasure of announcing that in spite of present circumstances, they have been able to receive from their Paris branch a very large selection of Christmas presents.”

Would have been interesting to see which #christmaspresentsmade it to the London showroom in #1915, most likely smaller items of jewellery – a Belle Epoque brooch and sapphire cufflinks perhaps - cigarette cases and timepieces like this sweet pink guilloché enamel #cartierclock (inspired by the Cartier brothers’ pre-war trips to Russia), with letters in place of numbers. In this clock (image courtesy @christiesjewels) the letters read ‘BONS SOUHAITS’, which translates as ‘good wishes’, a rather apt message for this time of year…