Cartier at the DMA

 While I was in Montana, I mentioned to Mister that I would like to see the Cartier exhibit at the DMA upon my return.  Today -- it's on the agenda.  We have 11:00 a.m. tickets and I'm super excited.  The exhibit is entitled "Cartier and Islamic Art" - elaborating on the way the two are interconnected at times.

"Throughout time artists have pursued and embraced diverse sources to spark creativity and generate new forms of visual expression.  Cartier and Islamic Art is an exhibition about sources of inspiration and the evolution of designs that span centuries and continents.  Paris at the dawn of the 20th century was a catalyst for creativity, especially for Louis Cartier (1875-1942) and the Maison he pivoted toward modernity.  As European powers expanded into the Middle East, India, and North Africa, Paris became the center of trade in Islamic art and architectural elements.  At the same time, the study of Islamic art was emerging as an academic discipling, with major exhibitions presenting these visual works in a more scientific, formalized manner.  This exhibition explore the formative influences of Islamic art on Louis Cartier as a collector and, more significantly, on Maison Cartier's production of jewelry and precious objects from the early 20th century until today."

As we enter the exhibit -- it begins with some non-jewelry pieces --- this vase is fabulous.

A few jewelry items are interspersed just to whet the appetite.  This bandeau (tiara) from 1923 contains platinum and diamonds.  NOW --- just to let you know in advance. --- this is my disclaimer.  Photography of items in glass cases with lights projected on them is AWFUL.  I've done the best I can with my little phone.

Very cool - from the Paris Exhibition.

Panel from a velvet floorspread - (would we call that a rug?)

Studying the ornaments of the period in which design is happening, choosing the most significant element and then adopting it and repeating it in the textiles, the architecture, and the jewelry becomes a unity of color and line.

As we moved into the next section - four spaces highlighting individual creations are spotlighted.  The piece is paired with a digital presentation that offers magnified views of the jewels and their construction, including the initial inspiration in architecture.  IF you can see this, please go as there is no way for me to include that satisfactorily in this post.  Starting with this - 

Zooming in on this one area

Depicting the laying of the gems - 

(remember this is a video in motion - not all pictures will be clear)

The actual finished piece - (it is also moving)

It's not all jewelry (as shown at the beginning) - check out this pen box.

This necklace is the only piece from the 1913 Paris exhibition that can still be located.  It was restored by Cartier for this exhibition.

This is a copy of another from that exhibiton.

THIS was the original.

Ooooh, tiaras or bandeaus - 

Pic one is the pictorial representation - pic two is the piece itself.  Comes apart --- can be an armband.

TRY to imagine the sparkle - or GO and see it.

To show how photography is challenging.  This tiara has a necklace behind it.

The other side - 

So, so beautiful - 

This orange tiara is scrumptious --- my guess is citrene. 

The pin and the drawings creating it.

Everything is just divine ---- such beautiful work.

Once again, the product and the drawings to create.

My formatting is giving me grief right now ---- and it is what it is.  Pictures that are not the same size just don't want to get along every single time I use them.  Gotta love Blogger.

These earrings --- I think I covet them.

The second of the presentations and I tried to get more pictures, but it's really hard with people and a moving video --- I hope you can see some of the amazing work that goes into the pieces.  It starts with the main building and then zooms into the arch and then into the center of the arch.

Next - zoom into the design itself - and they make the metal workings for it.

This next section show the various stones being placed into the workings.

All in place - 

The actual piece - pretty amazing, right?

Now, THIS is a tiara - Ooh la, la.

Presentation number 3 - one of those blurry spheres is where the focus will go

The to the top of the dome - where the item design takes place.

Workings follow and then the gems are placed.  Amethyst and turquoise.

The beautiful finished piece - amethyst and turquoise.

This clock has Lapis Lazuli ---- absolutely gorgeous.

Since I have a May birthday, I gravitate to emeralds.  These Colombian Emeralds are stupendous.  I love that they are not faceted, but sharing their natural glory.  A little history for you:  They have been imported by India since the 16th century and were prized by the Mughal leaders.  In the early 20th century, the treasures of the Indian maharajas still contained numerous Mughal emeralds engraved with inscriptions or floral patterns.  These stones were often re-cycled in modern jewels, sometimes at the request of their owners.  Just enjoy.

We are near the end of the exhibit and my eyes go to this center case.  The piece is divine but I stand in wonder as to why is is shown laying flat.

As I stand there, the center starts to rise, showing the piece in its glory.  Very cool ending.

That's what I got ---- again, if you can go, do.  It's magnificent.