Sparkling Collection Of Cartier Jewels Destined For NGV Exhibition

The exhibition will explore the jewellery house’s storied history via more than 300 pieces including beautifully-crafted jewels, tiaras, necklaces, brooches, timepieces, design drawings and more.

Direct from a run at London’s Victoria & Albert Museum, the showcase, to open over winter 2026 at the NGV, aims to detail some of the surprising background behind the glittering works of art.

It will also highlight some of the famous faces who have donned the special pieces from one of the world’s most prestigious jewellery brands, including Elizabeth Taylor, Rihanna, Princess Margaret, The Duchess of Windsor, Dame Nellie Melba, the Maharaja of Patiala, the Begum Aga Khan III, and American heiress Barbara Hutton.

One key drawcard is likely to be the display of more than 20 tiaras, some of Cartier’s most celebrated creations. These include Cartier’s celebrated Scroll tiara (1902), crafted in the house’s signature ‘Garland style’ and worn by Clementine Churchill at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 and by Rihanna on the cover of W magazine in 2016. Others include the Sun tiara of 1907 with a 32-carat fancy intense yellow diamond in its centre; and the Art Deco diamond and platinum Halo tiara of 1934, which was inspired by ancient Egypt and owned by Her Highness the Begum Aga Khan III.

The exhibition will chart the evolution and artistic legacy of the jewellery house, including its transformation at the turn of the twentieth century by brothers Louis, Pierre and Jacques Cartier, grandsons of the house’s founder Louis-François Cartier. The brothers established branches in Paris, London and New York, creating the first internationally recognised jewellery maison, and honed Cartier’s style by bringing design and manufacturing in-house.

With a client list of royalty and aristocracy, Cartier was described as ‘the jeweller of kings and the king of jewellers’ by King Edward VII, who granted his Royal Warrant in 1904. Cartier’s reputation later broadened thanks to the devotion of leading creatives from the worlds of cinema, music and fashion.

On display will be an intricate diamond rose clip brooch (1938) worn by Princess Margaret at her sister’s coronation, as well as a major selection of exceptional jewels belonging to Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor and wife of former King Edward VIII. These include her famous Flamingo brooch (1947), an extraordinary Bib necklace encrusted with diamonds, amethysts and turquoise, and her 1949 Panther sapphire clip brooch which features an impressive 152.35-carats Kashmir cabochon sapphire.

The Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibition ‘Cartier,’
12 June – 4 October 2026,
NGV, Melbourne