VCA malechite Alhambra 16 motif pendant
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:
- Weight:73.07 g
- Dimensions:Length: 49.22 in (1,250 mm)
- Style:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:2000
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3608222406042
Van Cleef & Arpels
One of the world’s foremost jewelry houses, Van Cleef & Arpels is particularly noted for a focus on technical virtuosity, craftsmanship and artistry, evident since its beginning. Rather than create earrings, bracelets, necklaces and other adornments primarily for the aim of displaying of wealth and opulence, Van Cleef & Arpels sought to produce jewelry that projected the wearer’s taste and style.
The company was formed a year after the 1895 marriage of Alfred Van Cleef, the son of a gem cutter, to Estelle Arpels, daughter of precious-stones dealer Salomon Arpel. Ten years later, Van Cleef & Arpels opened its first boutique on the Place Vendôme in Paris, setting the march on a square now crowded with dealers in bijouterie. (The company still occupies the New York flagship store opened in 1939 at Fifth Avenue and 57th Street.)
Born from a union of expertise in both jewelry making and gem selection, Van Cleef & Arpels distinguished itself with both the consistency of the color and clarity of its stones and the creativity of its designs. In doing so, the house would win a roster of dedicated, fashion-conscious clients that included the Duchess of Windsor, Marlene Dietrich, Barbara Hutton, Jacqueline Onassis and Elizabeth Taylor. In 1933, Van Cleef & Arpels patented its trademark Mystery Setting — a technique by which gems are fitted into an intricate matrix of slots and “drawers” that keep the setting hidden. Another signal innovation was the Zip necklace, introduced in 1951, which can be worn either around the neck or, with the zipper closed, as a bracelet.
But as much as to the firm’s craftsmanship, clients have been drawn by the insouciance and playfulness of Van Cleef & Arpels designers, as well as their attunement to the cultural climate. After the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922, the company produced several lavish pieces featuring hieroglyphics and other Egyptian motifs to go along with the geometric Art Deco jewelry of that decade and the next. Following World War II, as symbols of freedom and rebirth, the firm focused on naturalistic forms such as birds, flowers, fruit and flying insects. High society’s 1960s fascination with the Near East and India prompted such pieces as the best-selling Alhambra necklace, popularized by Princess Grace.
Lately, attention among collectors and connoisseurs has centered on Van Cleef & Arpels’s quality of workmanship as much as its glamour. The firm was the subject of a 2012 show at the Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, as well as exhibitions at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, California, in 2013 and at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris in 2014.
Find an exquisite collection of Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- 1980s VCA coral and diamond necklaceBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in London, GBThis striking 1980s Van Cleef & Arpels coral and diamond necklace is beautifully made with a detachable 18 carat gold and diamond clasp that connects the plaited strands of coral. Th...Category
Vintage 1980s French Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
MaterialsCoral, Diamond, 18k Gold
- VCA 1960s 18k gold, turquoise, ruby and diamond chick broochBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in London, GBThis delightful 1960s VCA chick brooch is made of 18k gold and is adorned with small round cut diamonds and rubies with a large cabochon turquoise as its egg. It would make a fine ad...Category
Vintage 1960s American Contemporary Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Ruby, Turquoise, 18k Gold
- 1970s Celine 18k gold and ebony necklaceBy CelineLocated in London, GBThis necklace made in 1970s by Celine is a highly wearable piece with interlocking 18k gold and ebony links. The set also has a bracelet which is listed separately on 1stDibs. A phot...Category
Vintage 1970s French Contemporary Link Necklaces
Materials18k Gold
- Carved coral lady Buddha brooch/pendant with 14k gold and diamond collarLocated in London, GBThis beautiful carved coral lady Buddha brooch has a delicately carved hair bun adorned with pearls and small flowers. The collar is made of 14k gold embellished with 7 round cut dia...Category
Vintage 1950s European Contemporary Brooches
MaterialsCoral, Diamond, 14k Gold
- Cartier mother of pearl and lapis necklace carrying Jean-Jacques Cartier's markBy CartierLocated in London, GBThis is a rare necklace made by Jean-Jacques Cartier, the illustrious head of the London branch of the iconic Cartier brand. The chain is marked with the distinctive insignia of Jean...Category
Vintage 1970s English Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Materials18k Gold
- 1960s Italian 18k gold hand engraved chain necklaceLocated in London, GBThe craftsmanship on this very long 18k gold necklace is quite remarkable. The chain is adorned with a repetition of balls and tubes all of which have been hand engraved to give them...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Materials18k Gold
- VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Alhambra 20 Motifs Lapis Lazuli 18k YG VCA Certified NecklaceBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYThis gorgeous rare Van Cleef & Arpels 20-motif lucky clover necklace from the iconic Alhambra collection is crafted in 18k yellow gold and inlaid with blue lapis lazuli in round bead...Category
Vintage 1980s Link Necklaces
MaterialsLapis Lazuli, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels White Gold Magic Alhambra 6 Motif Chalcedony NecklaceBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in London, GBA luxurious 18k white gold necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels from the Magic Alhambra collection VCARN18900. The necklace features 6 four leaf clover motifs alternating in size, set with...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Link Necklaces
Materials18k Gold, White Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra 10 Motif Chalcedony White Gold NecklaceBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Banbury, GBSKU AT-2537 RRP £9,500 Inc taxes / $ 10,100 Excluding taxes /11.100 € Inc taxes Model ARD34800 Serial Number JE****** Metal 18k White Gold Stones Chalcedony Weight approx 25.47 g Len...Category
2010s French Link Necklaces
MaterialsChalcedony, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Limited Edition Obsidian Vintage Alhambra Holiday Pendant VCABy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in London, GBA limited edition 18k rose gold obsidian and diamond Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra pendant from the 2023 Holiday collection. The pendant features a beaded edge 4 leaf clover mo...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Pendant Necklaces
Materials18k Gold, Rose Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels 20 Motif Vintage Alhambra Diamond & Turquoise Gold NecklaceBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Holland, PA18k Yellow Gold Alhambra 20 Motifs Diamond And Turquoise Necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels. The Limited Edition Van Cleef & Arpels 18k Yellow Gold 20 Motif Alhambra Diamond Turquoise N...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Link Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Turquoise, Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Pure Alhambra Fourteen Motifs Diamond Yellow Gold NecklaceBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Holland, PA18k Yellow Gold Pure Alhambra 14 Motifs Diamond Necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels. With 14 diamond pave Alhambra motifs 16mm each VVS1 clarity, E color total weight approximately 5.45ct...Category
Early 2000s French Link Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Yellow Gold
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
Gems by David Webb, Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels Anchor The Back Vault’s Treasure Trove
Boasting one of the largest collections of David Webb in the world, the firm offers exceptional jewels — always in demand yet never in short supply.
This Turquoise Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Necklace Is a Rare and Alluring Find
You know the French maison’s famous motif well. But why is this particular piece so in demand?