Shanghai Museum looks like a magnificent palace at night. Founded in 1952, it boasts some 120,000 pieces, assembling paintings, calligraphy, ceramics, jades and magnificent bronzes, famous throughout the world. Its unique architecture symbolises the ancient Chinese philosophy of a square earth with a round sky above.

　　About 1,500 officials, literati, businessmen and artists will gather in Shanghai to enjoy the exhibition of "The Art of Cartier" from France beginning in May, after the "red swirl" of Chinese folklore and culture astonished Paris's residents in February.

　　For Cartier, the invitation to exhibit at the Shanghai Museum represents an ideal occasion to celebrate the increasingly close ties of cooperation and friendship that link the jeweller to China, a country whose myths and traditions have long been an inspiration for jewellery design.

　　A number of key landmarks punctuate the history that unites Cartier and China. During the 1920s in particular, the extraordinary creatures and symbolic signs and colours of the "Middle Kingdom" inspired the creations of Louis Cartier, himself a connoisseur and collector of oriental antiquities.

　　In October 1996, the Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain exhibited the Pot Doréby jean-Pierre Raynaud within the walls of Forbidden City in Beijing.

　　In 2003, Cartier's new jewellery collection, Le Baiser du Dragon, offered a contemporary interpretation of Chinese designs and tradition.

　　Although this is the first time that items from the Art of Cartier Collection have travelled to China, the novelty of the event also stems from the Museum's wish to display contemporary works alongside historical pieces. The most beautiful contemporary articles in the exhibition are on loan from private collectors eager to support the Museum's idea of showcasing Cartier's present-day creativity. More than 300 pieces are assembled, from the origins of the House to the present days.

"Panther" Brooch. Cartier Paris, 1949, platinum, white gold, pave-set with single-cut diamonds and sapphire cabochons, the eyes set with pear-shaped fancy yellow diamonds, the animal perched on a "Kashmir" sapphire cabochon of 152.35 carats.

　　This exhibition at the Shanghai Museum represents not only a major event for Cartier but also pays tribute to China, offers a spotlight on contemporary jewellery design and stands as testimony to the strong bonds of trust linking the jeweller to its most loyal customers.

　　It is intended to offer a wide audience, from both China and abroad, the opportunity and the pleasure of discovering the history of jewellery design through a unique display of Cartier's creativity.