Louvre Abu Dhabi adds regional, Islamic-art inspired jewellery collections to Cartier show

The exhibition features over 400 works including jewellery and precious objects, masterpieces of Islamic art, drawings, textiles, and photographs. Signature pieces on display includes a lozenge brooch from 1912 and an ‘Oriental’ bandeau

Abu Dhabi: The Louvre Abu Dhabi museum has announced a programme for the public during the holidays to celebrate the 52nd UAE Union Day.

The range of events which will commemorate the day includes ‘Cartier, Islamic inspiration and modern design’. This station allows visitors to learn about aspects of Islamic art, which was a formative source of inspiration for Louis Cartier and the House of Cartier. “Islamic art has played a significant and structural impact on Cartier’s creative language since the beginning of the 20th century,” Pierre Rainero, International Image, Style and Heritage Director, Cartier, said in a news release for the revised exhibition.

Featuring over 400 works including jewellery and precious objects, masterpieces of Islamic art, drawings, textiles and photographs, the exhibition showcases the influences of the Islamic arts on Cartier’s designs, from the beginning of the 20th century to the present day.

“We have seized the opportunity to explore regional collections from our own to, for example, the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization in the U.A.E., the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, and Al Shindagha Museum in Dubai,” Fakhera Ahmed Mubarak Alkindi, Senior Curatorial Assistant, Louvre Abu Dhabi mentioned.

She noted that the additions include several pieces of Cartier jewellery and artwork from private collections in the region, including the al-Sabah art and jewellery collection from Kuwait and the al-Thani royal collection from Qatar. Some of them are on public display for the first time. Signature pieces on display include a platinum and diamond ‘Oriental’ bandeau from the 1911 Cartier collection, and a lozenge brooch from 1912, made with platinum, diamonds, sapphires and natural pearls. A necklace inspired by Hindu motifs, featuring platinum, gold, diamonds, sapphires, emeralds and rubies from 1936 is also part of the exhibition. Other items also include ornate cutlery and ceramics with Islamic-inspired motifs. 

Courtesy: The New York Times, Vogue, Gulf News