Cartier

SJX
[Purist]
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Part II: Upper levels

Up the staircase to the second level there are additional sales areas and showcases.

 The view of the second level from the entrance to Jeanne Toussaint's office

But the highlight of the floor is the office of Jeanne Toussaint, Cartier’s legendary Director of Jewellery who was responsible for penning many of the now iconic Cartier designs and themes like the Panthère. Like Louis Cartier’s office, this room is almost entirely original and sometimes used to host customers as well.

Above: Two photos of Jeanne Toussaint from different eras 

The topmost floor of the building serves as a private exhibition area to showcase selected items from the Cartier Collection, Cartier’s own collection of vintage objects. These items, selected according to a certain theme, change every two months or so.

At the time of your correspondent's visit the exhibition centred the various exquisite Cartier items inspired by the Orient, most of which were Art Deco objects dating from the twenties.

Below: Two of the highlights of the exhibition, a pair of Chinoiserie Mystery clocks - each would go for a whopping mid-six figures at auction today.

This exhibition area is not open to the public but clients are on occasion invited upstairs to view the display.

Many thanks to Michel Aliaga, Deputy Manager of Heritage at Cartier, for the tour of the boutique and for arranging for the rare opportunity to have photos taken inside the store.

- SJX

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