Cartier has long been fascinated with the quotidian, creating functional items – fragrance bottles, powder compacts, inkwells, stationery – since the late 19th century. In keeping with Cartier design codes, they put an ornamental spin on the purely functional, making for chic objects in their own right.

Dubbed The Art of Living, the lineup is divided into decoration, writing, baby, and games. Among them, there’s something for nearly every room in your home, whether it’s a decorative object or a functional implement, all with a gilded touch.

Cartier riffs heavily on its most recognisable signatures, namely its panther icon and deep red hue when it comes to decorative items. Porcelain trinket trays, the kind of dish you’d toss your keys into, feature warm gold detailing around the rim and base and a gilt panther stalking across a spare landscape. The writing elements take an equally whimsical approach with journals covered in caricatures of Cartier’s uniform-clad assistants. At the same time, much of the stationery has red ribbon motifs winding over its surface. And what better to jot something down with than handsome gold-tone pens?

‘Since 1880, Cartier has been interested in everyday objects,’ says Pierre Rainero, director of Image, Style and Heritage at Cartier International. ‘In 1925, with the creation of the S for Silver department, entrusted to Jeanne Toussaint, Cartier developed more accessible accessories and objects. These practical, playful, joyful and elegant items were perfectly in tune with the celebratory spirit and chic portability of the Café Society in the 1930s.

The materials used to create these precious wood, porcelain, or enamel objects met the criteria of elegance and durability, with today’s collections continuing the Cartier tradition,’ he adds.

In the post-war period of the 1920s, these more accessible items, including a gold pocket corkscrew and a silver cocktail shaker with secret cocktail recipes, were enhanced with precious metals and sculpted silhouettes.

It is a philosophy reflected in this new collection composed of valuable everyday items given a precious twist. A stamp, a tea box, stationery and Christmas decorations incorporate the tradition of skilled artistry, which lays at the heart of the jewellery and homeware, putting an elegant spin on the everyday.

While this kind of lifestyle expansion seems natural for a brand with Cartier’s established legacy, it is, in many ways, a throwback to its traditions. In the 1930s, Louis Cartier, grandson to the namesake founder, ushered in the S for Silver department, specialising in creating small gifts and even things like lighters of the most luxurious variety. According to the brand, he once said in an interview that his company was not limited to jewellery and just as capable of filling a woman’s “handbag with a powder compact, a mirror, a small comb and even business cards.”