The red box with gold embossed decoration is known throughout the world to contain treasures made by expert hands. To the point, still today, that a jewel, an object, a Cartier clock sees its value increase in the art market if it is still in its original box. If red is systematically used today to cover the House’s boxes, it was not always so in the past.
Materials and colors
CASE Cartier Paris, c. 1910 At the beginning of the XXth century, many pieces were presented in green cases such as this one, which was designed to hold a pendant watch and its chain with enamel batonets.
The suede interior on which the object rested, depended on the use of the object and depending on its period was black, brown, cream or yellow-orange.
As often with Cartier, we must be careful of established rules and for boxes, as with the pieces, it was never a definitive rule. Thus, if the boxes were in their majority red and green, they also came in blue, brown, black, pink and sometimes white, even though, especially for the latter, they were probably used for special commissions.
PERFUME BOTTLE Cartier Paris, 1875 Yellow gold, rose gold, green gold, rock crystal. Fitted green shagreen case with the address, 9 Bd des Italiens stamped inside. Unsigned. Eagle’s head French hallmark for gold. Maker: Marret fr res & Jarry. L: 12 cm. Private collection.
