The Cartier Crocodile Necklace
You’ve probably heard of the Cartier crocodile necklace, but what is it and what does it mean? This article explores the history of the necklace, Maria Felix’s obsession with crocodiles, and the meaning of the emerald set in the Patiala Necklace. If you’re interested in owning this stunning necklace, read on to learn more. You’ll also learn about the necklace’s restoration, and how to find its original emerald.
Cartier’s crocodile necklace
The crocodile pendant necklace is a tribute to the eccentric Mexican actress Maria Felix, who famously commissioned Cartier to design her a jewelry collection inspired by animals. Felix, who was known for her exotic femme fatale roles, was also an art collector, and requested a crocodile necklace. Cartier artisans studied the features of crocodiles and designed a necklace with articulated crocodiles. The necklace is now a prized possession.
The crocodiles featured in the reptile necklaces are fully articulated, and they can be worn as brooches or as a necklace. The crocodiles’ inner feet were replaced with motifs that gave the appearance of tucked feet. These designs were inspired by the crocodiles’ natural habitat, and the reptiles were bred for Cartier by Maria Felix.
Maria Felix was a friend of many famous artists, including Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, and Jean Cocteau. Her famous crocodiles were immortalized in the necklace, which reflects her rich taste in art. The necklace was given to her after she married Prince Alexis Mdivani. She passed it on to her granddaughter, Princess Nina Mdivani.
The crocodile necklaces are among Cartier’s most famous pieces. It has a remarkable history. The company began searching for these pieces as early as the 1860s and now owns approximately 1,600 pieces of jewelry. During its history, the jewelry pieces from the collection have been displayed at a number of museum exhibits, including the Petit Palais in Paris, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and the Palace Museum in Beijing.
Maria Felix’s obsession with crocodiles
A Mexican actress, Maria Felix, was famous for her Cartier crocodile necklace. In 1975, Jacob Zabludovsky questioned the actress about her obsession with money. Meryl Streep’s response: “This necklace symbolizes respect for the public.”
The crocodile necklace is the result of an incredible collaboration between Cartier and the actress. It all started when Felix entered a Cartier boutique with a baby crocodile. The actress told the store employees that she wanted a necklace featuring crocodiles as they look in the wild. Felix insisted on living with the crocodiles herself until the necklace design was complete. Eventually, the crocodiles grew too large, and Felix had to remove them.
The double crocodile jewel was created with interior armatures to make it look realistic. The crocodile necklace has an authentic Cartier look and feel. The piece was commissioned for Felix because of her love of reptiles and her adoration for Cartier jewellery. She was so impressed with the jewel, she even offered a champagne toast to the Cartier craftsmen.
The Mexican actress, Maria Felix, is also known for her love of Cartier jewellery. She wore it as a fashion accessory and was loved by Christian Dior, Cristobal Balenciaga, and Hubert de Givenchy. Hermes also created customised ready-to-wear looks for her. Her ‘Ammunition’ coat, which was auctioned at a Christie’s estate sale in 2007, was also a favorite of Felix’s.
In 1975, she became obsessed with the jewel after her marriage to the Mexican singer Jorge Negrete. When her husband died, he wanted to pay her for it. Jorge Negrete gave her an expensive suite of Cartier jewels, which included a crocodile necklace, bracelet, earrings, and a big ring. After the wedding, the jewellers contacted Felix for money. Felix refused to pay them and demanded the jewels back. Ultimately, she was forced to return the jewellery, which she refused to do.
The crocodile necklace is one of the most infamous pieces of jewelry owned by a celebrity. She is also known for wearing it in her daily life and posing in a bikini in a vlog. Her obsession with the piece led to a series of articles, magazines, and other media to pay tribute to the star. It is not only an obsession but also a great example of the power of jewelry.
Restoration of the necklace
The story of the Restoration of the Cartier crocodile necklace began in 1998 when the original appeared on platinum chains in London. Many of the original stones were missing, including several large diamonds. Cartier was asked to restore the necklace and used synthetic stones to recreate the missing stones. The original necklace is estimated to be worth $20 to $30 million. This story tells of the necklace’s restoration and subsequent value.
The crocodiles on the necklace are fully articulated, so they can be worn as brooches or necklaces. These crocodiles were created by the same artisan who sculpted the Cartier Panther. The crocodiles were originally shaped like brooches and were later replaced with motifs that give the illusion of tucked feet.
In the 1990s, Emma Chamberlain wore a stolen Cartier crocodile necklace at the Met Gala. Cartier was criticized for letting Emma Chamberlain wear it, and the South Asian community urged the company to return the necklace to its owner, Bhupinder Singh of Patiala. After a year of research, Cartier agreed to do so, and the crocodile necklace has been on display at the Denver Art Museum since its opening in April 2011.
The Cartier exhibit in London was the second-most popular exhibition ever, with nearly 300 pieces on display. The pieces are tracked from pre-war glitz to the sleek Art Deco style, and include a rare brooch from 1907. The Cartier crocodile necklace is a rare piece of jewelry that was worn by some of the most important people of the early twentieth century, including Elizabeth Taylor, who was a Cartier client for years.
Meaning of the emerald in the Patiala Necklace
The ostentatious necklace adorned the neck of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh and his son. In a portrait, the Maharaja is wearing the necklace that contains an enormous Emerald, weighing nearly two carats. The necklace, however, was stolen in 1948. The diamond, a De Beers diamond, was found in South Africa. The necklace, which was later purchased by Cartier, was one of the world’s most expensive pieces of jewellery.
The necklace was reportedly stolen from the royal Treasury in Patiala in 1948. However, the “De Beers” diamond was sold at a Sotheby’s auction in Geneva in 1982. The necklace was eventually recovered, but the missing stones were replaced with replicas. The necklace has been compared to Kim Kardashian’s controversial Marilyn Monroe dress. Whether or not it was stolen, the history of the necklace is intriguing and worth studying.
The necklace is adorned with almost 3,000 diamonds, which makes it Cartier’s most expensive piece. It contains seven enormous diamonds of eight to 73 carats, including the famous Beers diamond. It is the seventh largest diamond ever recorded. Despite its pricey price tag, it has a symbolic meaning. The Emerald symbolizes rebirth and life, making it a popular choice for bridal jewelry.
The gemstone’s symbolic meaning is derived from its color. In addition to its mystical meaning, the green gemstone represents a vibrant, cheerful spirit. It is also believed to help people cope with difficult situations. Emeralds have many positive and negative attributes. Hence, the Emerald is a powerful symbol. It represents a happy marriage. The meaning of the Emerald in the Cartier crocodile Patiala Necklace is quite evocative.
The gemstone’s beauty also makes it a desirable choice for wedding jewelry. Cartier crocodile Patiala Necklace was designed by Gabriel Raton. The double crocodile is reminiscent of Cartier’s work. Felix bought the piece because of his love of reptiles. Felix offered a champagne toast to the craftsmen. Its exquisiteness is the product of a lifetime of hard work.
The Cartier Crocodile Necklace