Bling with Royal Connections

The highly publicised exhibition of Cartier treasures opens at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra making much of its royal connections and patronage. There’s a whole room of objects lent from the Royal Collection by the English Queen and aristocrats including the famous Windsor Halo Tiara although, we now find, it is one of many. Cartier’s clients, of course, include the very wealthy apart from the royal houses. To see such a dazzling and expensive display is useful for dwelling on how different their lives are from most Australians, the average household in the Antipodes being a bit short on tiaras or, indeed, events to wear them to. The exhibition runs until 22 July. Next up is Watercolours by the Prince of Wales, sigh,10 August to 18 November.  We have to say that Reko Rennie’s strikingly republican works in the national collection are much more heart-stirring than either of these exhibitions.