A century-old Cartier necklace inspired by the famous pharaoh Tutankhamun is poised to go to auction after being rediscovered. This exquisite piece is part of a collection of Egyptian revival jewelry created in response to the British fascination with ancient Egypt during the 1920s.
The necklace first appeared in a 1924 advertisement in The Illustrated London News, coinciding with the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb by archaeologist Howard Carter. It is expected to fetch between £20,000 and £30,000 at the upcoming auction.
The excitement surrounding the tomb's discovery ignited a wave of interest in all things Egyptian, prompting Cartier to launch a limited edition collection featuring pieces adorned with Egyptian faience figurines and scarabs.
Jewelry specialists from UK auctioneers Woolley and Wallis conducted extensive research on the diamond and ruby pendant, confirming its connection to the 1924 advertisement. The necklace features a long figurine of the god Nefertem, set against a backdrop reminiscent of ancient beaded necklaces.
Interestingly, Cartier altered the design by replacing Nefertem with an abstract floral arrangement of cabochon rubies, likely to align with changing fashion trends.
Marielle Whiting, a jewelry specialist at Woolley and Wallis, expressed excitement about the necklace's rediscovery, calling it a “remarkable” piece of 1920s fashion. The necklace will be auctioned on January 30, 2025, as part of Woolley and Wallis' Fine Jewellery sale.