Cartier

by Helen Molesworth (Editor), Rachel Garrahan (editor)

256 pages, Hardcover

Published May 27, 2025

About the author

Helen Molesworth is Chief Curator at the Institute for Contemporary Art, Boston. She edited Louise Lawler's "Twice Untitled and Other Pictures (looking back)", published by the Wexner Center for the Arts and distributed by the MIT Press.

Reviews

[Rosemary Standeven · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really stunning book, that I read before going to see the exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum. The photographs are amazing – but even so, the reality of the actual jewellery is a thousand times better. Still, if you can’t get to London before the exhibition closes – this is the next best thing.
The book outlines the history of the Cartier family – the three brothers, one each in Paris, New York and London – who designed and had made these extraordinary pieces for the exceptionally wealthy. It shows how they took inspiration from all around the world for their designs.
I would love to own a piece of this jewellery – but it is all so far out of my league. And if I were to wear it – everyone would assume it was a fake. But a girl can dream!

[Spiderorchid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally published as a catalogue to accompany last year's exhibition at the V&A, this book also works perfectly as a history of Cartier: how the company was founded, design principles, marketing, sourcing, techniques, design-sketches, vintage advertisements, cooperation with famous clients and - of course - countless gorgeous photographs of some of the most famous and stunning jewelry ever made.
It's a beautiful picture-book but also a very interesting introduction into the world of jewelry design. Several close-up photographs illustrate settings and individual stones in detail. It's a treasure chest of sparkle and glamour.

[Jay Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many details, superb pictures and a lot of stories about the history of jewels, fashion and the house of Cartier!!

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The companion book to the V&A Cartier exhibit. The main draw here is obviously the pictures and they are worth the price of the book. The high level photography shows off the craftsmanship and the beauty of the jewels, giving me a new appreciation for the work and all the details older photos couldn't capture. The included essays are mostly quick cuts of the Cartier family and the work of their shop - I'd recommend Francesca Cartier Brickell's The Cartiers for those looking for more details.