Recorded WebinarsApr 18, 2022
Watch: The History of Jewelry TrendsEvents & AwardsMay 17, 2022
‘Cartier and Islamic Art’ Exhibition Opens in Dallas
Following its Paris debut, “Cartier and Islamic Art: In Search of Modernity” has landed at the Dallas Museum of Art.
Installation view, “Cartier and Islamic Art: In Search of Modernity” at the Dallas Museum of Art. (Courtesy of Dallas Museum of Art. Photo by John Smith.)
Dallas—An important museum exhibition that merges jewelry and art has landed at its North American home.
“Cartier and Islamic Art: In Search of Modernity” opened May 14 at the Dallas Museum of Art (DMA). It debuted last fall at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris.
Both art institutions developed the exhibition in collaboration with the Musée du Louvre and Cartier.
Through 400 objects, it shows the influence of Islamic art, architecture, and jewelry on Cartier in the early 20th century. Objects are on loan to the DMA from the jewelry house, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, the Musée du Louvre, the Keir Collection of Islamic Art, and other international collections.
Louis Cartier (1875-1942), the grandson of Cartier founder Louis-Francois Cartier, was a partner and director at Cartier Paris. He collected Islamic art and had a penchant for Persian and Indian paintings and manuscripts.
At the turn of the 20th century, Louis would have had access to Islamic art through major exhibitions in Paris at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in 1903 and 1912. The city also fostered lots of art dealing and collecting from markets like Persia, India, China, and Japan, all which influenced the look of Cartier jewelry.
They informed an aesthetic called “style moderne,” or “modern style,” now referred to as Art Deco.
Related stories will be right here …
“Cartier and Islamic Art: In Search of Modernity” opened May 14 at the Dallas Museum of Art (DMA). It debuted last fall at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris.
Both art institutions developed the exhibition in collaboration with the Musée du Louvre and Cartier.
Through 400 objects, it shows the influence of Islamic art, architecture, and jewelry on Cartier in the early 20th century. Objects are on loan to the DMA from the jewelry house, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, the Musée du Louvre, the Keir Collection of Islamic Art, and other international collections.
Louis Cartier (1875-1942), the grandson of Cartier founder Louis-Francois Cartier, was a partner and director at Cartier Paris. He collected Islamic art and had a penchant for Persian and Indian paintings and manuscripts.
At the turn of the 20th century, Louis would have had access to Islamic art through major exhibitions in Paris at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in 1903 and 1912. The city also fostered lots of art dealing and collecting from markets like Persia, India, China, and Japan, all which influenced the look of Cartier jewelry.
They informed an aesthetic called “style moderne,” or “modern style,” now referred to as Art Deco.
The DMA exhibition highlights not only jewelry but also drawings and archival photographs from Cartier alongside Islamic artworks with similar styles.
Materials from India, Iran, and Arab nations also play an important role, with Cartier introducing them after Louis’ brother Jacques went on sourcing trips to India and Bahrain. This resulted in new color combinations courtesy of different gems, as well as engraved gemstones.
Iconic designs like Cartier’s “Tutti Frutti” styles bear the influence of this exploration.
Actual Islamic art was occasionally incorporated into jewelry after the 1920s, too. Enameled plaques, pottery shards, stone amulets, textiles, and miniatures taken from paintings were every so often worked into new designs.
Installation view, “Cartier and Islamic Art: In Search of Modernity” at the Dallas Museum of Art. (Courtesy of Dallas Museum of Art. Photo by John Smith.)
Installation view, “Cartier and Islamic Art: In Search of Modernity” at the Dallas Museum of Art. (Courtesy of Dallas Museum of Art. Photo by John Smith.)
Installation view, “Cartier and Islamic Art: In Search of Modernity” at the Dallas Museum of Art. (Courtesy of Dallas Museum of Art. Photo by John Smith.)
“For over a century, Cartier and its designers have recognized and celebrated the inherent beauty and symbolic values found in Islamic art and architecture, weaving similar elements into their own designs. This bridging of Eastern and Western art forms speaks exactly to the kinds of cross-cultural connections that the DMA is committed to highlighting through our programming and scholarship,” said Dr. Agustín Arteaga, the DMA’s Eugene McDermott Director.
“Not only does this exhibition present our audiences with the opportunity to explore Cartier’s dazzling designs, but it also spotlights the strength of our powerhouse Islamic Art and Decorative Arts and Design departments, as well as those of our colleagues at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs and the Louvre.”
Four curators brought “Cartier and Islamic Art: In Search of Modernity” to life. They are: Sarah Schleuning, the DMA’s Margot B. Perot Senior Curator of Decorative Arts and Design; Dr. Heather Ecker, the DMA’s former Marguerite S. Hoffman and Thomas W. Lentz Curator of Islamic and Medieval Art; Évelyne Possémé, Musée des Arts Décoratifs Chief Curator of Ancient and Modern Jewelry; and Judith Hénon, Musée du Louvre Curator and Deputy Director of the Department of Islamic Art.
“Cartier and Islamic Art: In Search of Modernity” will run through Sept. 18.
There is an accompanying book of the same name.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
FinancialsMay 07, 2026
Brilliant Earth Appeals to Higher-Income Shoppers in Q1The jewelry retailer noted resilience among its higher-end customers while demand softened for its lower-priced offerings.
AuctionsMay 07, 2026
‘Spectacular’ Kashmir Sapphire Headlines Heritage Spring Jewelry SaleLed by the 6.59-carat sapphire, the sale garnered $9.7 million, a record total for a Heritage jewelry auction.
MajorsMay 07, 2026
Gannon & Scott Names New Regional Account ExecutiveIn his new role, sales specialist Billy Welshoff will focus on the eastern United States.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
WatchesMay 07, 2026
Chrono24 Names New CEOJosé Gaztelu has been promoted to the role, which has been vacant since last year.
Weekly QuizMay 07, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingMay 06, 2026
Canada’s Oldest Diamond Mine Faces Uncertain FutureThe owner of the Ekati mine, which opened in 1998, has filed for insolvency protection amid the significant decline in diamond prices.
FinancialsMay 06, 2026
Pandora to Add Carbon Footprint Info to Lab-Grown DiamondsThe company announced the change alongside its Q1 results, which showed that the jewelry brand’s year is off to a shaky start.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
MajorsMay 06, 2026
Saks Global Begins Layoffs, Reorganization Plans Closer to ApprovalThe retailer will cut 16 percent of its corporate workforce as part of its plan to exit bankruptcy.
AuctionsMay 06, 2026
Steve McQueen’s Heuer Monaco Watch Heads to Sotheby'sOf the many examples used in the filming of “Le Mans,” this one is believed to have spent the most time on Steve McQueen’s wrist.
EditorsMay 05, 2026
This Ohio Designer’s Jewelry Made It to the Met GalaMegan Piccione dressed Lauren Wasser in layers of diamond jewelry, making her stand out in a crowd that included celebrities like Beyoncé.
SourcingMay 05, 2026
Doug Hucker Returns to His RootsFollowing decades of association leadership, the “semi-retired” colored gemstone expert is turning his focus to gemstone education.
Events & AwardsMay 05, 2026
JIS Launches Brand Exposure ProgramThe new program provides access to media exposure and editorial opportunities for exhibitors and retailers.
CollectionsMay 04, 2026
Melanie Georgacopoulos Turns Pearls Into Light for ‘Eclipse’ CollectionThe “Eclipse” jewelry collection captures the fleeting moment where light and shadow align though onyx, diamonds, and freshwater pearls.
ColumnistsMay 04, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show BuyingBuying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.
CrimeMay 04, 2026
Pawn Shop Manager Shot, Killed in FloridaLazaro Rodriguez Vega was murdered inside Cash Out Gold and Silver in Fort Pierce. A 20-year-old man has been charged in the case.
IndependentsMay 04, 2026
Zadok Jewelers, Austin Parks Foundation Support Wildflower PreservationA portion of every engagement ring sold in its Austin showroom will support the care and preservation of Austin’s wildflowers and green spaces.
TechnologyMay 01, 2026
Gemist, Saban Onyx Partner on Retailer-Focused Customization OfferingTheir partnership combines Gemist’s customization technology with Saban Onyx’s U.S.-based manufacturing capabilities.
SurveysMay 01, 2026
Consumer Confidence Inches Up in April Despite Rising Gas PricesRespondents were concerned about the Middle East conflict and how it will impact their finances.
CollectionsMay 01, 2026
A ‘Hidden Garden’ Emerges in Tiffany & Co.’s 2026 Blue BookOur Piece of the Week, the “Butterfly” necklace, showcases a 7.02-carat oval diamond set between diamond, platinum, and 18-karat gold wings.
ColumnistsApr 30, 2026
Peter Smith: A Sleazy Salesman and the Case for Regret Avoidance Smith uses a comment he overheard in the grocery store to remind retailers that their job is to inspire buying behavior, not just sell.
MajorsApr 30, 2026
Claire’s New Summer Campaign Is a Sensory Wonderland for Gen Alpha“A Girl SMR at Claire’s” celebrates girlhood through the five senses with stacked jewelry, slime toys, scented accessories, and ASMR.
AuctionsApr 30, 2026
Vintage Cartier Watch Crashes Through Records, Selling for $2MBelieved to be one of three made in 1987, the Cartier London Crash was hot at the “Shapes of Cartier” sale at Sotheby’s Hong Kong.
CrimeApr 30, 2026
Masked Group Uses Hammers, Pepper Spray in Texas Jewelry Store RobberyOfficials are looking for a group that robbed Marc Robinson Jewelers at an outlet mall in Round Rock, Texas, in broad daylight on April 21.
Supplier BulletinApr 30, 2026
OROAREZZO 2026: The B2B Event for Italian Excellence in Goldsmith, Jewelry and Silver ManufacturingSponsored by OROAREZZO International Jewelry Exhibition
TechnologyApr 29, 2026
The Thought Process Behind the Mother's Day Email Opt-OutSome retailers are taking a nuanced approach to marketing what can be a difficult holiday for many.
IndependentsApr 29, 2026
Dick Abbott to Retire From The EdgeThe Edge has announced its new CEO, as well as a new partnership with an investment firm focused on founder-led software businesses.
