The largest Cartier exhibition ever presented in Australia is now on view at NGV International from June 12th to October 4th, 2026. Bringing together nearly 400 jewels, watches, precious objects, and archival treasures, the exhibition charts the history of the legendary French maison through the lives of monarchs, aristocrats, collectors, and screen icons who wore its creations.
Cartier exhibition explores a legacy of innovation and glamour
Organised by the Victoria and Albert Museum in partnership with the National Gallery of Victoria and Cartier, the exhibition spans more than a century of exceptional craftsmanship and design. Galleries conceived by Sabine Marcelis and Paul Cournet pair extraordinary objects with the stories of the individuals who commissioned and cherished them.
Among the first masterpieces visitors encounter is the Manchester Tiara, created in 1903 for Consuelo Montagu. Set with more than 1,500 diamonds, the Garland-style tiara epitomises the refinement that established Cartier as the jeweller of royalty and high society.
Tiaras, necklaces and archive jewellery
A highlight of the exhibition is its remarkable gathering of more than thirty tiaras. The celebrated Scroll Tiara of 1902—once worn by Clementine Churchill and later by Rihanna for the cover of W Magazine—appears alongside the turquoise-and-diamond tiaras of sisters Nancy Astor and Phyllis Brand, reunited for the first time in decades.
Equally compelling are Cartier’s legendary necklaces. Among them is the spectacular Patiala Necklace, commissioned by Bhupinder Singh and originally set with 2,930 diamonds centred around the famed De Beers yellow diamond. Lost for decades and later rediscovered in fragments, the jewel was painstakingly reconstructed by Cartier.
Another star attraction is the ruby-and-diamond necklace belonging to Elizabeth Taylor, a gift from her husband Mike Todd. Nearby, visitors will find jewels owned by Grace Kelly, including an elegant multi-strand pearl and coral necklace created after her marriage to Rainier III.
Cartier exhibition highlights extraordinary women and iconic jewels
The exhibition also honours some of Cartier’s most influential female patrons, from heiresses Daisy Fellowes, Barbara Hutton, and Doris Duke to Australian opera legend Nellie Melba, whose turquoise-and-diamond jewels demonstrate Cartier’s early mastery of platinum.
Among the most celebrated pieces is the iconic Panther Brooch owned by Wallis Simpson. Conceived under the artistic direction of Jeanne Toussaint, the diamond-set feline perches atop a 152.35-carat sapphire and remains one of Cartier’s defining creations.
The exhibition concludes with dazzling commissions created for María Félix, including her legendary snake and crocodile necklaces—virtuosic feats of craftsmanship adorned with diamonds, emeralds, and vibrant enamel.
Installation view of CARTIER on display from 12 June to 4 October 2026, at NGV INTERNATIONAL, Melbourne.
Photography by SEAN FENNESSY
