Cartier Ruby Bangle Bracelet

Created by Cartier around 1900-1909, before the opening of the firm's New York salon, this 18K gold bangle bracelet is set with over 8.40 carats of French-cut rubies. An early jewel of timeless modernism, this bangle bracelet of exquisite little vivid red rubies is a rare and precious find.

Country: France
Circa: 1902–1909
Size: 6.25 Interior Circumference
Materials: 70 French and square-cut rubies (approximate total weight 8.40 carats); 18K Gold
Gram Weight: 23.90
Signed: Cartier Paris-Londres, French assay mark, no. 1982

Cartier's London salon was the first international office that Alfred and his sons, brothers Louis, Pierre and Jacques, opened in their pursuit of creating "the leading jewelry firm in the world." Alfred Cartier had been cultivating clients and selling their work in London since 1869, where the glamorous Lord and Lady Dudley were the firm's de facto local ambassadors. Youngest Cartier brother Jacques joined the firm in 1906, and after a mere nine months, his father Alfred deemed him ready to run the London branch in New Bond Street. As Jacques' ambit encompassed not only London but India as well, his cultivation of Indian clients and his devotion to Indian jewelry arts made an enormous contribution to Cartier's impact on art jewelry design. Meanwhile, Pierre Cartier opened the New York branch in 1909, acquiring its historic mansion at 653 Fifth Avenue in 1916. Through the London and New York salons, many of the great gems of the European royal houses found British and American buyers.