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ONYX, ENAMEL, AND DIAMOND BOX

ONYX, ENAMEL, AND DIAMOND BOX

Cartier, c. 1930

Inspired by Jacques Cartier’s travels to India in 1911, this Art Deco-era box reflects the house’s deep engagement with Mughal design. Slim and elegantly proportioned, it is likely intended for powder or calling cards. The lid features a floral motif in polychrome enamel, framed by rows of rose-cut diamonds, all set against a polished black onyx ground. Cartier’s dialogue with Indian artistry extended beyond aesthetics; the firm’s famed collaboration with the Maharaja of Patiala—resetting his crown jewels—cemented its role in the cross-cultural evolution of 20th-century luxury.

Craftsmanship

This Cartier Art Deco box, circa 1920, is of rectangular form with a black onyx lid inset with a Mughal-style polychrome enamel floral scene, bordered by lines of rose-cut diamonds. The sides are engraved with a decorative motif. Measuring 3⅜ × 2⅛ × ½ inches and weighing 123.7 grams, it is signed Cartier and marked Paris, Londres, New-York, with inventory number 0791.

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