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Lot Essay
The very name Cartier is a byword for the ultimate in luxury. From the dawn of the 20th century the company’s timepieces have wowed the world’s richest and most demanding clientele, not only for their mechanical excellence and ingenuity but most importantly for the perfection and confidence of their design. This sumptuous Pendule Portique mystery clock constructed from hardstones and set with diamonds is made in the style of the mystery clocks that Cartier created in the early 20th century. The famous ‘Portico’ model such as the present clock was one of the most elaborate, an example made in 1923 was owned by the Polish opera singer Ganna Walska and is now part of Cartier’s private museum collection.
Mystery Clocks
The art of illusion fascinates adults and children alike. We are all spellbound when magicians deceive the eye with sleight of hand and deft trickery, believing they achieve the impossible while knowing perfectly well that it is just illusion. Maurice Couet perfected the art of illusion with the mystery clocks that Cartier offered from 1913. The Mystery Clocks by Cartier became instant hits, and the first one manufactured by Couet was purchased by J.P. Morgan, the famous American financier.
Based on the Pendules Mystérieuses of the 19th century, a selection of which was exhibited at the 1878 Paris World Fair, the mechanism of these clocks is hidden in the frame such that the hands seem to float in space without any connection to the movement. Rather than moving by conventional clock making techniques, the hands are set into two rotating crystal discs with toothed metal rims that are propelled by gears in the clock case.
Since every part is hand-made, each clock originally took from three to twelve months to finish; employing not only the watchmaker but also the designer, the orfèvre-boîtier, the enameller, the lapidary, the setter, the engraver and the polisher. Even with the help of modern technology, it still takes several months to complete a clock such as the present one.
Cartier
The House of Cartier was founded in 1847 when the 28-year-old Louis-François Cartier took over a shop at 29 rue Montorgueil in Paris. His son Alfred took control of the company in 1874, by which time it already had an excellent reputation. However, it was Alfred’s three sons - Louis, Pierre and Jacques — who would go on to establish Cartier as a world-famous jewellery brand.
While Louis retained the responsibility for Paris, in 1902 Jacques went to London and only two years later received the Royal Warrant, thereby supplying jewellery to King Edward VII and his court. Pierre travelled to New York where, in 1917, he famously acquired 653 Fifth Avenue for two strands of the very finest pearls. This piece of prime real estate remains a flagship store to this day.
Since then the Maison has expanded globally, becoming what many consider to be the finest jewellery house in the world. Its clientele has encompassed royalty, film stars and business tycoons. King Farouk of Egypt, The Duchess of Windsor, Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly and Clark Gable all made their way to Cartier to buy or have their jewellery made.
Mystery Clocks
The art of illusion fascinates adults and children alike. We are all spellbound when magicians deceive the eye with sleight of hand and deft trickery, believing they achieve the impossible while knowing perfectly well that it is just illusion. Maurice Couet perfected the art of illusion with the mystery clocks that Cartier offered from 1913. The Mystery Clocks by Cartier became instant hits, and the first one manufactured by Couet was purchased by J.P. Morgan, the famous American financier.
Based on the Pendules Mystérieuses of the 19th century, a selection of which was exhibited at the 1878 Paris World Fair, the mechanism of these clocks is hidden in the frame such that the hands seem to float in space without any connection to the movement. Rather than moving by conventional clock making techniques, the hands are set into two rotating crystal discs with toothed metal rims that are propelled by gears in the clock case.
Since every part is hand-made, each clock originally took from three to twelve months to finish; employing not only the watchmaker but also the designer, the orfèvre-boîtier, the enameller, the lapidary, the setter, the engraver and the polisher. Even with the help of modern technology, it still takes several months to complete a clock such as the present one.
Cartier
The House of Cartier was founded in 1847 when the 28-year-old Louis-François Cartier took over a shop at 29 rue Montorgueil in Paris. His son Alfred took control of the company in 1874, by which time it already had an excellent reputation. However, it was Alfred’s three sons - Louis, Pierre and Jacques — who would go on to establish Cartier as a world-famous jewellery brand.
While Louis retained the responsibility for Paris, in 1902 Jacques went to London and only two years later received the Royal Warrant, thereby supplying jewellery to King Edward VII and his court. Pierre travelled to New York where, in 1917, he famously acquired 653 Fifth Avenue for two strands of the very finest pearls. This piece of prime real estate remains a flagship store to this day.
Since then the Maison has expanded globally, becoming what many consider to be the finest jewellery house in the world. Its clientele has encompassed royalty, film stars and business tycoons. King Farouk of Egypt, The Duchess of Windsor, Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly and Clark Gable all made their way to Cartier to buy or have their jewellery made.