Platinum, Aquamarine and Diamond Bracelet, Cartier, London, Circa 1930

The flexible strap decorated in a geometric pattern with emerald-cut, oval, square-cut and long hexagonal-shaped aquamarines weighing approximately 60.50 carats, accented by round diamonds weighing approximately 2.90 carats, length 7 inches, signed Cartier, London, numbered 737 ?692.

According to Judy Rudoe in the exhibition catalogue Cartier: 1900-1939, much of Cartier's aquamarine jewelry was made by the company's London branch. Records from 1932 show a number of aquamarine and diamond pieces ordered not only for London clients but for Americans shopping at the London or Paris branches. One of the more interesting commissions came from Elsie de Wolfe, also known as Lady Mendl, a highly successful decorator and a prominent figure in New York, Paris and London society. Upon arriving in New York in 1935, Lady Mendl posed for photographers, remarking that: 'her hair was tinted aquamarine to match her latest acquisition, a curling spiral tiara of diamonds and aquamarines that she had commissioned from Cartier, her favorite jewelers'.

Author of the influential book The House in Good Taste, Lady Mendl was selected the Best Dressed Woman in the World by Parisian couturiers in 1935 at age 70.