Van Cleef And Arpels Miniaudiere

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.

Antique and vintage boxes and cases are sought-after pieces that come in a variety of shapes, sizes and designs. ​​The craft of making boxes dates back thousands of years to some of the earliest known wooden structures. There are now as many types of boxes and cases as there are artists.

Whether they’re pillboxes, pouches, trinket boxes, Victorian-era cigarette cases or another variety, boxes and cases can be eye-catching additions to home decor. Some of the most valuable antique boxes and cases are made from silver or gold. Over time, skilled artisans have experimented with adding varying layers of ornament to these objects, sometimes studding them with gemstones such as rubies or diamonds. Giving your desk an upgrade? While functional, a box or case can amount to the perfect finishing touch, adding a bit of class and sophistication to any room of a house or office.

Intricate pillboxes or sapphire cases from various periods are prime examples of boxes that can elevate a space. Smaller pillboxes, vintage jewelry boxes and cosmetic pieces can make an Art Deco dresser or cherished wood vanity look more luxurious. Slightly larger boxes, however, can keep personal belongings hidden from sight while adding interest to tabletops and shelves. When styling your home library, for example, don’t be afraid to integrate antique boxes and decorative objects or sculptures with your treasured art books.

Browse the collection of antique and vintage boxes and cases today on 1stDibs.