PARIS.- 240 lots from Cartier will be offered at auction at Artcurial. More than seventy emblematic lots will be exhibited in the salons of the Hôtel Dassault before they go on sale on 3 March 2021. The second part of “Cartier at home “will be presented through an Online Only sale from March 1st to March 8th 2021.

In accordance with the taste of Louis Cartier (1875-1942) and Jeanne Toussaint (1887-1976) for French classicism, this furniture was carefully chosen for its high quality and style.

The sale will be held to the benefit of Cartier Philanthropy, created in 2012, which is committed to improving the living conditions of the most vulnerable – particularly women and children – in the most deprived regions of the world.

« This furniture reflects a part of Cartier’s identity. Clear lines, a sense of proportion, harmony of shapes. The French 18th century and classicism inspired both Louis Cartier and Jeanne Toussaint to create the idioms of Cartier. » --Pierre Rainero, Image, Style & Heritage Director, Cartier

« Artcurial is very honoured to organise this sale to benefit Cartier Philanthropy Foundation and to invite you on a journey to the world of the legendary House of Cartier, through its boutiques around the world, places of emotion that resonate with fabulous creations and French luxury icons. » -- Isabelle Bresset, Auctioneer & Director, Furniture & Works of Art, Artcurial

The style of Jeanne Toussaint and Louis Cartier
This important selection of classical and decorative furniture resonates with the world of Cartier, providing inspiration and reflecting the taste of Louis Cartier (1875-1942) and Jeanne Toussaint (1887-1976).




Louis Cartier’s fascination for neo-classicism, its simplicity, clarity and balance, greatly influenced his creations. The classical aesthetic infuses every furniture piece placed in the Cartier boutiques. In 1899, Cartier moved from Boulevard des Italiens to 13, rue de la Paix. Louis was energetically involved, not only in the choice of the neighbourhood, the new hub of Parisian luxury, but also in the decoration of the offices and lounges. With her bold and inventive style beyond conventions, Jeanne Toussaint revolutionised contemporary jewellery. Most daring, she made the Panther an emblem. She was also the first woman to lead the creative studio for a major jewellery house. She took the helm between 1933 and 1970 and introduced the so called “Toussaint taste” to the world’s most elegant women. She gave the interior decoration a touch of femininity and with her assertive character guided the emancipation of her contemporaries with her flamboyant creations.

Louis Cartier and Jeanne Toussaint, prominent aesthetes and designers, defined a recognisable style that prevails from the jewellery to the shop furnishings, from past to present, by combining French classicism with their own sense of beauty and a distinctive «taste».

Cartier Philanthropy Foundation
The sale of Cartier furniture will be orchestrated on March 3rd by Artcurial to benefit Cartier Philanthropy, the corporate foundation committed to improving the living conditions of the most vulnerable - especially women and children - in regions of the world where the need for solidarity is, now more than ever, considerable. Cartier Philanthropy makes every effort to address the lack of resources, knowledge and basic services, extreme inequalities and limited rights. The goal is to enable everyone to act and lead a dignified life.

« Since its creation in 2012, Cartier Philanthropy has donated 65 million Swiss francs. Today, it partners with 40 non-profit organisations (NGOs, UN agencies and social enterprises) that tackle the most urgent social problems in the least developed regions and contribute to the implementation of adapted and measurable solutions that have proven their effectiveness for the greatest number of people » explains Cyrille Vigneron, President and CEO Cartier International.

Cartier furniture at auction
Today, Cartier continues to evolve worldwide, through an ambitious programme of renovation dedicated to offering a new expression of the company’s identity and heritage. This auction is an opportunity for Cartier to reinvent itself with the sale of the previously acquired furniture for its boutiques around the world.

The pieces of furniture offered in the sale are in perfect condition, ready for use, combining comfort, elegance and style. Among them many un-upholstered seats are ready to be garnished with the colours of their new owners, as well as a selection of Louis XV and Louis XVI style bureaux plats. A magnificent Louis XVI giltwood console table in carved and gilded wood, attributed to Georges Jacob (illustrated above) is on show (est: 15 000 - 20 000 €) next to a pair of Louis XVI armchairs stamped Jean Baptiste Claude Sené, in lacquered wood, trimmed with tan leather (est: 800 - 1 200 €). A small Louis XVI sofa, stamped Pluvinet, in carved and gilded wood which comes from to the famous lounges in rue de la paix sits alongside a large Louis XV style flat desk, decorated with European lacquer and a Chinese motif (est: 3 000 - 5 000 €) and a Regency-style ebonised bureau plat with gilt-bronze decoration (est: 1 500 - 2 000 €).

There are also some pieces of 20th century furniture such as lamps, some from the Maison Charles and designers such as Julien Barrault (illustrated above), coffee tables in the style of Bagues and standard lamps from the 1940s and 1950s.