Cartier’s Novelty: A Gorgeous Bag with Unexpected Tactile Touch

Panther Legacy

The now-iconic Cartier panther first leaped into the Maison's aesthetic in 1914. Louis Cartier was the first to tame the legendary creature, his associate Jeanne Toussaint going on to make magnificent use of the feline motif. Ever since, the panther, by turns predatory and playful, has revealed different facets of its wild personality from collection to collection.

Bold Elegance

First introduced in 2021, the Panthère C stands out for its sculptural clasp in the form of a majestic "C" ending in a panther's head — a signature of Cartier's bold elegance. The grained leather handle, adorned with softly curved metal rings inspired by the Maison's Déclaration watch, shimmers with movement and light. With its pure lines, fluid form, and exquisite craftsmanship, the Panthère C de Cartier reveals the timeless grace of a jewel of a bag.

These mobile embellishments slide and jingle, striping the handle with radiance and completing the allure of this jewel of a bag. Twenty-nine in all, they were inspired by Cartier’s Déclaration watch from 2003, which had bands punctuating the dial on either side. The playful and tactile effect is replicated here through the harmonious movement that each ring imparts to the bag. Fitting perfectly together, the stacked rings add a reptilian aspect echoed by the curve and texture of the bag’s panther clasp, whose bold golden and black enamel stripes contrast with the architectural rigour of the shapes and the calfskin leather.

Specifications

Panthère C de Cartier small model handle bag in grained black calfskin, handle decorated with mobile bands, golden and black enamel-finish clasp, golden hot-stamped “Cartier” signature on the inside. Two interior compartments, one flat pocket and one signature pocket with removable mirror. One external flat pocket on the back of the bag. Lining: black lambskin. Dimensions: Height: 180 mm. Length: 210 mm. Depth: 90 mm. Hand and cross-body carry.