Cartier, 18K Gold 'Nouvelle Vague' Perruque Ring

The Nouvelle Vague collection from Cartier reflects the house’s experimentation with sculptural abstraction in the late 20th century. Rather than traditional gemstone-centered motifs, Nouvelle Vague jewelry emphasizes form, texture, and kinetic tension, a modernization of Cartier’s rich heritage in three dimensions.

The name Perruque (French for “wig”) is evocative: it describes the cascading cluster of small gold spheres that loosely drape and overlap like textured hair or floating beads, creating a sense of movement and fluid exuberance. This expressive use of volume and repetition was part of Cartier’s response to evolving tastes in the 1970s–1990s, when sculptural gold jewelry became a language of architectural and artistic statement, appealing to collectors beyond classic gem-centric markets.

Brand: Cartier
Circa: 1999
Metal: 18K
Stamp: "Cartier", "750", "124819 48", "CARTIER 1999", french hallmark, french maker's mark. 
Weight: 35.8 grams
Size: 4.75
SKU: IL228