What they say
There are two phoenixes in the exhibition. One is this Bird of Paradise brooch (pictured) created by Cartier, which is shown for the first time. What I love is what Liaoning Provincial Museum found in their treasures, a Chinese phoenix in jade. Jade means wealth, power for the emperor. It is two things in one dialogue, using the same symbol in China and France. These two pieces show that we are different but universal. We also want to express love and friendship, search for luck, happiness, and power from the phoenix. It is like a bridge between two cultures.
Stanislas de Quercize, president and CEO of Cartier
Cartier has a series of mystery clocks. The hands look like they are floating in the air. This is really unique in Cartier creations. In this exhibition, we have some Chinese-inspired mystery clocks: Chinese materials, or Chinese design. This one made in 1926 (pictured), which has hands of Chinese dragons, was originally collected in Cartier Paris from antique dealers of Chinese pieces.