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Lot Essay
AN EXQUISITE ART DECO 'DRAGON' VANITY CASE, BY CARTIER
Cartier’s achievements in integrating Asian influences, using themes from myths and fairy tales, began in the 1920s and ever since has marked an important chapter in the decorative arts and design world. Distinctive of this style, the Maison often incorporates Chinese elements, using materials such as jade, lacquer panels, lapis lazuli and more. Their red ground enamelling, as seen on lot 293, which was adopted from the Far East at the beginning of the 20th century, is without a doubt the perfect example to demonstrate how Cartier had mastered this technique, intended to imitate Chinese lacquer.
Chinese dragons and Chinese-influenced patterns, such as the repeated scrolls on this vanity case, had so permeated the Cartier design repertoire that they are to be found in enamel or engraved gold on boxes and vanity cases by Cartier throughout their heritage collection. According to Chinese legend, the dragon was honoured and venerated as an almighty natural force. And in the history of China, the dragon has always been seen as protector to the Emperor, often seen sewn in gold thread on the front and back of the Emperor’s imperial court robes. This exquisite vanity case, with dragon and Chinese pattern motifs, truly showcases some of the very finest techniques, craftsmanship and designs in the history of Cartier.
Cartier’s achievements in integrating Asian influences, using themes from myths and fairy tales, began in the 1920s and ever since has marked an important chapter in the decorative arts and design world. Distinctive of this style, the Maison often incorporates Chinese elements, using materials such as jade, lacquer panels, lapis lazuli and more. Their red ground enamelling, as seen on lot 293, which was adopted from the Far East at the beginning of the 20th century, is without a doubt the perfect example to demonstrate how Cartier had mastered this technique, intended to imitate Chinese lacquer.
Chinese dragons and Chinese-influenced patterns, such as the repeated scrolls on this vanity case, had so permeated the Cartier design repertoire that they are to be found in enamel or engraved gold on boxes and vanity cases by Cartier throughout their heritage collection. According to Chinese legend, the dragon was honoured and venerated as an almighty natural force. And in the history of China, the dragon has always been seen as protector to the Emperor, often seen sewn in gold thread on the front and back of the Emperor’s imperial court robes. This exquisite vanity case, with dragon and Chinese pattern motifs, truly showcases some of the very finest techniques, craftsmanship and designs in the history of Cartier.