The Making of Cartelle's Talismans
From traditional symbols to contemporary designs, discover how Cartelle's talismans are created, and the meanings behind them.
When we started designing the Cartelle Companion, we wanted to offer something beyond leather colours and personalised embossing. Something that would add character and meaning, but also work practically with the leather cover and cord design.
Talismans have been worn and carried for centuries, often as symbols of protection, good fortune or personal significance.
We liked the idea of bringing that tradition into a contemporary design, creating a collection that looked good against the leather covers, but also had meaning. Something to reflect an important part of your life, or to choose as a thoughtful gift.
Each Cartelle talisman has its own symbolism. The Winged Heart represents freedom, the Horseshoe protection, the Sword resilience, the Rose loving your fate, the Open Fan clarity and the Poker Chip good fortune.
From sketches to samples
There were two parts to the design process: the visual design, and the practicalities of how to attach the talismans.
We started by researching traditional symbols and their meanings. The horseshoe, for example, has a long association with luck and protection in British folklore, traditionally hung above doorways to bring good fortune. We also drew inspiration from decorative objects, vintage jewellery and the symbolism found in different cultures.
From there, we developed a series of sketches, exploring different shapes and styles. We wanted each talisman to be interesting individually, while still working together as a collection, despite having different shapes and meanings.
Turning the drawings into physical samples brought a new set of challenges - the size, the constraints of the materials, and how much detail would survive at a small scale.
For the question of how to attach them, we wanted each talisman to have a flat back with small side loops, so that it would sit nicely against the leather and thread smoothly onto the cord.
We started with a 3D-printed plastic prototype to refine the size and position of the loops, before moving onto a full sample in brass, hard enamel and gold plating.
Designed to be yours
The result is a collection that lets you add another personal touch to your Companion.
Choose a symbol for what it means, for how it looks, or because it reminds you of someone. The choice is yours.