Cartier and the Maharaja

Repost @bazaarindia - CARTIER AND THE MAHARAJA: In a Bazaar exclusive, Francesca Cartier Brickell, a descendant of the iconic jewellery family, retraces Jacques Cartier’s tryst with India that led the brand to fame.

Excerpts from the feature:

“The first time my great-grandfather, Jacques Cartier, visited India was for the Delhi Durbar in 1911. For him, the Durbar represented a unique opportunity to meet many important, potential clients in one place. It was a successful strategy: after the Durbar, Jacques was invited to visit many palaces around the country... Some of the jewels Cartier made for the Maharajas in the 1920s, at the heart of Art Deco, rank among the most exquisite of all time. From the Maharaja of Patiala’s Diamond Necklace to the Maharaja of Kapurthala’s emerald turban ornament (with a 117.4-carat carved, hexagonal emerald at its centre), to the Maharaja of Nawanagar’s necklace (containing the most superb cascade of coloured diamonds perhaps ever assembled), they were extraordinary. Sadly, not all survive in their original form today...”

1. Maharaja Yadavindra Singh wearing the famous Patiala necklace

2. Heiress and Businesswoman Marjorie Merriweather Post

3. The Hope Diamond

4. Jean-Jacques Cartier, the author’s grandfather

5. The Maharaja of Kapurthala

6. Jacques Cartier visiting gem dealers in India at Kanjimull Jewelers, Old Delhi with the jeweler, Mr. Kanjimull seated second from right

7. The Cartiers written by Francesca Cartier Brickell

8. Francesca Cartier Brickell

Digital Editor: Nandini Bhalla (@nandinibhalla)
Feature credit: Radhika Bhalla (@radhika_bhalla)
Images: Courtesy of the Author

Read the complete feature in the latest issue of Bazaar India.
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