We’re all familiar with Cartier’s slinky panther icon, but
the French fine jeweler’s high jewelry collection this year, presented in style
at the recent Red Box dinner in Bangkok,
introduces other nature-inspired pieces that are wondrous, whimsical works of
art.

Tutti Frutti Parrot watch in white gold with rubies, emeralds, sapphires and diamonds

Ever the masterful storyteller, the high jewelry collection for
2011 includes an exotic Indian element harkening back to Louis Cartier’s
sojourn into the continent and appreciation of the culture’s cosmopolitan, flamboyant
style, which came to be known by the rather amusing moniker of Tutti Frutti.
This year, the Tutti Frutti Parrot watch epitomizes the fashion of that era,
with an explosion of flower and palm-leaf motifs in white gold, rubies,
emeralds, sapphires and briolette-cut diamonds, topped off with a brilliant
parrot.

Dragon drop earrings in platinum with diamonds

Draconia ring in platinum with emerald eyes, sapphire and diamonds

China’s
myths, symbolism and fairy tales also feature prominently in this year’s high
jewelry collection, with platinum diamond drop earrings and rings molded in the
shape of dancing, twirling dragons.

Volupte yellow diamond necklace in platinum

Collibri earrings in platinum with garnets, sapphires and diamonds

Crocodile diamond ring in platinum with emerald eyes

Expanding its jeweled bestiary with other zoological
creations are yellow diamond and platinum chokers in a sinuous snake design;
a pair of budgerigar earrings in platinum with garnets, sapphires and diamonds; and a diamond crocodile ring in platinum with glinting emerald eyes.

Finally, we arrive at Cartier’s star motif, the panther, which was born in 1914 and inspired by Louis Cartier’s brilliant and enigmatic colleague, Jeanne
Toussaint. Here, an extensive range of tiger and panther jewelry pays homage to
that creative team. The bracelets, rings and necklaces in precious onyx,
emeralds, sapphires and diamonds are wrought in the shape of the beautiful
feline.

Panther prism watch in white gold with sapphires, emeralds, onyx and diamonds

Garissa earrings in white gold with chalcedonies, emerald eyes, onyx spots and diamonds

Bagheera Tiger ring in platinum with sapphire eyes, onyx stripes and diamonds

Cali ring in platinum with emerald eyes, onyx nose, sapphire spots and diamonds

Masai bracelet in white gold with emerald eyes, onyx nose and diamonds

Panther necklace in platinum with onyx, emeralds and diamonds

Snow Panther earrings in white gold with onyx spots, diamonds and emerald drops

Three Panther motif bracelet in white gold with onyx and diamonds

Cartier