Based on the children’s novel by Italian author Carlo Collodi, the animated feature film Pinocchio was released on February 7, 1940 by Walt Disney Productions. Pinocchio was the second animated feature film produced by the firm, following the major success of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937.

Originally considered a box office disaster in 1940, Pinocchio was later reissued in 1945 and has been since recognized as one of the greatest animated films ever created. The film won Academy Awards for ‘Best Music, Original Score’ and ‘Best Music, Original Song’ for ‘When You Wish Upon a Star’. Eventually, the song would also become Walt Disney’s official anthem. In 1994, almost fifty-five years after Pinocchio’s original release, it was added to the United States National Film Registry.

Lot 104 is a rare example of a Pinocchio charm bracelet by Cartier. Featuring enamel charms depicting Pinocchio, the Blue Fairy, Jiminy Cricket, Geppetto, Cleo and Figaro, the 14k gold charm bracelet dates back to 1940 when the film was released. In the original program for the premiere at Center Theatre at Radio City, the Cartier bracelet was prominently advertised. The advertisement features an image of the bracelet, alongside clips that were also designed by Cartier to celebrate the release of the film.

These whimsical characters captured through brightly colored enamel are an instant reminder of Jiminy Cricket’s narration of the timeless tale of Pinocchio – and the joyful reminder that ‘when you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are, anything your heart desires will come to you’.