Biography
Cartier was founded in Paris in 1847 by Louis-François Cartier. His three grandsons, Louis, Pierre, and Jacques, built the house into a famous international jewelry empire serving royalty, Hollywood stars, and socialites. Cartier has created some of the most important jewelry and objects of art of the twentieth century with many iconic designs such as mystery clocks, Tutti Frutti jewelry and the Panthère line. In 1983, The Cartier Collection was established with the objective of acquiring important pieces that trace the firm’s artistic evolution. Today, Cartier has 200 stores in 125 countries.
Significance
On July 12, 1917, shortly after the United States entered World War I, General John J. Pershing, Commander-in-Chief of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) in Europe, visited the André Citroën factory in Paris to inspect the facility producing munitions for the Allied forces. The arrival of Pershing in France and the visit to the factory was an important symbol that the United States had arrived in earnest as a partner of the Allied powers. Pershing wrote of his arrival in France in his memoir, “It brought home to us as nothing else could have done a full appreciation of the war weary state of the nation and stirred within us a deep sense of the responsibility resting upon America.”
André Citroën was a pivotal French industrialist who revolutionized ammunition production during WWI using American assembly line methods in the style of Henry Ford. As a captain in the Army Reserves, he recognized a critical ammunition shortage and applied his previous factory experience to the problem. With government support, he built a massive, modern factory on the Quai de Javel that produced as many as 55,000 shells per day. After the war, he transitioned the fully equipped precision manufacturing plant to create cars under the Citroën name prioritizing comfort, affordability, and unconventional design. He eventually became the most significant and influential of all Parisian car makers.
A lot rested on Pershing’s 1917 visit to Paris and the Citroën factory. Lead by French Minister of Armament Albert Thomas it was important that the Allied powers demonstrate their strength. It is likely at this time Citroën presented Pershing with the three shrapnel shells representing the power and partnership of Italy, Russia, and France, the most important of the Allied powers. To underscore the importance of the gift, Cartier created an impeccable presentation case fitted with descriptive plaques. It was also around this time or shortly after that Cartier gifted General Pershing with the very first Tank watch prototype. Designed in 1917, Louis Cartier was inspired by the top-down view of the Renault FT-17 tanks. At this pivotal moment in time, Cartier was understandably inspired by the industrial elements crucial to the war effort. The tank remains one of the most influential and sought after designs from the company, and they gifted it to Pershing who was responsible for helping bring WWI to a close in 1918. Pershing is the only American to be promoted in his own lifetime to General of the Armies, the highest possible rank in the United States Army. This incredible, unique object brings together important threads of history and the changemakers who brought about the end of WWI.
General Pershing speaking with André Citroën at the Citroën factory July 12, 1917.
Shrapnel shells being produced at the Citroën factory in Paris, October 7, 1915
