At the heart of the Victoria and Albert Museum’s Cartier exhibition (running through 16 November 2025) visitors are greeted by a breathtaking sight: the Manchester Tiara of 1903, illuminated by a one-of-a-kind lighting installation that marries artistry with engineering excellence.
The exhibition itself highlights over 350 extraordinary objects, from rare gemstones and iconic watches to exquisite jewels and intricate clocks, tracing Cartier’s influence from its founding in 1847 through the 20th century. Bringing such treasures to life required light that was as innovative as the objects themselves.
That challenge fell to Precision by Luminii, approached by lighting designers Studio ZNA to realize the vision of architectural designer and artist Asif Khan Studio. Asif and his team’s concept was to echo the elegance of an orrery, a mechanical model of the solar system, by creating an orbiting light that circles the tiara.
Designing this custom fixture was no ordinary task. The team needed to create a discreet luminaire capable of endlessly revolving around the tiara while staying invisible in its complexity. Wires, which could twist or fail, were not an option. The mechanism also had to be hollow, as the tiara itself would be suspended within the rotating hub.
To achieve this, Precision by Luminii called on decades of innovation, integrating the mechatronics of their sister brand RCL by Luminii with the sophisticated micro-engineering at the heart of Precision fixtures. Leveraging a platform from an upcoming RCL product, they incorporated custom hollow slip rings and DMX dimming technology, delivering seamless, wireless power for continuous rotation.
“Designing this bespoke fixture was a fantastic opportunity to combine the mechatronics used in RCL luminaires with the sophisticated micro-engineering of Precision Lighting. The circling light emphasizes the tiara’s magnificence, making it glisten while casting an ever-changing shadow that orbits the exhibition walls.”
While the Manchester Tiara takes center stage, other iconic pieces also shine under Luminii’s craftsmanship. The Tutti Frutti collection and the ethereal Baroda Pearl Bracelet are illuminated with Atto Surface and Atto Eye fixtures, ensuring every detail is presented with clarity and elegance.
This project is more than technical achievement. It is a seamless fusion of heritage, art, and engineering. Few companies could have delivered such a complex and graceful solution, making Precision by Luminii the natural choice for this exhibition.
For Cartier’s story of timeless beauty, light itself became part of the narrative.
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