#maharaja digvijaysinhji

The ‘Tiger’s Eye’ Turban Ornament

Cartier, London; 1937,

Platinum, diamonds, H. 12.7cm; W. 6cm; Diamond: 61.56ct.

Although the Cartiers were never technically diamond merchants, the deals they made and the work they did with some of the finest stones in the world played a key role in developing the firm’s international stature. 

In 1937 Maharaja Digvijaysinhji of Nawanagar asked Cartier to set the ‘Tiger’s Eye’, an unusual cognac-coloured diamond discovered in 1913 and sold by the firm to his predecessor Maharaja Ranjitsinhji. 

Cartier designed a turban ornament around the gem, using baguette-cut diamonds to create an Art Deco look for this traditional Indian jewellery form.

© The Al Thani Collection