$4,000-6,000
Cartier’s ‘Tutti Frutti’ pieces are the perfect blend of French design and Indian royalty. “Tutti Frutti” represents a design concept created by Cartier in 1901, referencing jewellery that features rubies, emeralds, and sapphires, mainly carved stones. The gems were sourced from the treasury of the Indian maharajas in the early 1920s, who approached the French jeweller to re-imagine their traditional jewels into a “Western” style.
Cartier’s vivid designs gained popularity in the 1920s – 30s, at the time known simply as “Pierres de Couleur” – coloured stones. It wasn’t until 1970s that the collection was christened “Tutti Frutti”. Soon, bib necklaces, brooches, jabot pins, ear clips, bracelets, powder cases, and many others would appear in Cartier’s workshop, adorned with leaf and berry shaped carved rubies, emeralds, and sapphires. The introduction of a wide variety of gemstone colours set into one piece with an East-meets-West design was a stark contrast to the geometric styles of the Art Deco period, which had dominated the jewellery trends in the preceding era.
Owning a Tutti Frutti piece was for the true connoisseur. Daisy Fellowes, the eternally stylish socialite and Singer sewing machine heiress, commissioned a Collier Hindou Tutti Frutti in 1936. The result was a necklace consisting of 1031 gemstones, an irresistible mix of diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds.
Today, these pieces are iconic and highly collectable amongst jewellery lovers, connoisseurs, and historians.
Leonard Joel Brisbane can assist with all aspects of buying and selling jewels, timepieces, fine art, decorative arts, luxury pieces, and more. To schedule an appointment with Troy, please call 0412 997 080 or email troy.mckenzie@leonardjoel.com.au
TROY MCKENZIE / Queensland Representative Specialist
November 2021
Banner Image: A Tutti Frutti Inspired 18ct White Gold, Diamond and Gem-set Pendant Necklace. $4,000-6,000