Brilliant-cut diamonds totalling approximately 3.90 carats
Sapphire specks, emerald-set eyes and onyx nose
Platinum
Signed Cartier and numbered 19929C
Size 6¼
With a signed box and a Cartier letter
Catalogue Essay
Considered one of the Maison’s most recognizable and symbolic icons, the Panthère jewels is well-loved for their diverse and vivid portrayal of the graceful feline, at times ferocious, often spirited in its expression. The design of this current ring is called a ‘ribbon bow’ for it aligns two panther heads back to back, outlining a highly dimensional and majestic bow. While most ring designs feature only a single panther, and sometimes two which are placed adjacent to each other, this ring is considered a very rare and uncommon find amongst the Panthère creations, one that a Cartier collector should not miss.
With the Constitution of 1848 came a new standard for luxury in France. Founded one year prior by Louis-Francois Cartier, the house of Cartier was one of the first to use platinum in jewelry making. This incredibly expensive material became the stepping-stone for Cartier to experiment in form, mechanisms and attitude. It helped men move from pocket watches to wristwatches, effectively making the watch much more functional and prominent in a man's overall wardrobe.
Cartier did not only touch on functionality. Inspired by a commissioned painting by George Barbier featuring a black panther at the feet of an elegantly bejeweled woman, Cartier began incorporating wild animals in his designs—most notably, Cartier Panthère rings, bangle bracelets and watches. Yet it wasn't until the late 1960s that the house of Cartier debuted their iconic yellow and rose gold LOVE collection, which includes the famous bracelet that only a special screwdriver can open.