In the world of fine jewellery, no one can utter the word ‘panther’ without bringing Cartier into the conversation. Started in 1914, Cartier’s feline mascot is celebrating its 100^th birthday this year.

Present in the most unexpected places, the Cartier panther is revolutionary, strongly representing a style that defies boundaries. It is one of the most iconic animal-inspired jewellery that exists in the market right now.

To celebrate a century of majestic feline-inspired jewellery, we share with you ten facts that you need to know about the legendary Cartier beast and its fine jewellery creations.

• The Cartier panther was first seen on a Cartier wristwatch that was designed with a panther-spot motif in 1914 before World War I.
  
  
• Louis Cartier’s first ever muse for the ‘Panthère’ collection was Jeanne Toussaint, a fine Parisian lady nicknamed ‘The Panther’, who later became Creative Director of High Jewellery from 1933 onwards.
  
  
• It is said that Louis Cartier and Jeanne Toussaint were inspired to create the ‘Panthère’ jewellery when they went on a tour to Kenya. They were the first few Europeans to embark on safari tours in the jungles of Africa.
  
  
• Louis Cartier created the first full panther ornament on a precious cigarette case for Jeanne Toussaint in 1917.
  
  

• The reason why the ‘fur’ coat on Cartier’s panther looks so realistic is because of a unique technique called ‘fur setting’ consisting of stones set in minuscule folded wires of precious metals.
  
  
• Following the first panther lady, Jeanne Toussaint, there are a number of beautiful women who became one of the muses for the 'Panthère' collection including Maria Felix, who is known by the nickname ‘Mexican Panther’.
  
  
• Cartier created the first panther ring in 1935 with a combination of black enamel and yellow gold.
  
  

• The first three dimensional panther was created under the commission of the Duke of Windsor using an emerald in 1948.
  
  
• One of Cartier’s master creations is the brooch commissioned by Duchess of Windsor, which was made with a sumptuous Kashmir sapphire cabochon of 152.35 carats. It was designed by Jeanne Toussaint.
  
  
• Since its inception in 1914, onyxes are the most used precious stones to create the ‘Panthere’ collection.

 

Click through the gallery to see the latest Panthère de Cartier collection:

 

 

(Photos courtesy of Cartier)

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