CARTIER, Years 1980-1990 - Lot 172

CARTIER, Years 1980-1990 "Elephant and elephant calf" lapel clip brooch in yellow gold 750‰, the animals' eyes set with round faceted emeralds. Pins in 750‰ white gold. Signed "Cartier" and numbered "654152". French work, Diamond hallmark of Atelier Jean-Claude JANOT. Dimensions: 1.6x3cm. P. Gross weight: 11.3 g. With red suedette travel pouch. In the 1980s, Cartier returned to the animal bestiary with sculptural jewelry inspired by the extravagance of the 1930s. Yellow gold, imposing volumes and oriental and antique references became emblematic of the House's style. While the panther dominates this period, elephant figures appear in rarer creations, influenced by India and the maximalist taste of the 1980s. The "Khandy Elephant" collection illustrates this aesthetic, with stylized elephants transformed into genuine architectural elements of jewelry, the animals becoming links. Symbols of prosperity, protection and royalty, the elephant evokes the princely oriental imagination dear to Cartier. The brooch we are offering for sale, depicting an elephant and her baby elephant, is in this same stylistic vein. The three-dimensional work in yellow gold, the sculptural silhouettes and highly stylized motifs are directly reminiscent of the creations in the "Khandy Elephant" collection.