Van Cleef & Arpels 'Sweet Alhambra' Butterfly Bracelet
View Similar Items
Van Cleef & Arpels 'Sweet Alhambra' Butterfly Bracelet
About the Item
- Creator:
- Design:Sweet Alhambra BraceletAlhambra Collection
- Weight:1.9 g
- Dimensions:Length: 7 in (177.8 mm)
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Contemporary
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: LC69837AB1stDibs: LU1740113203302
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, the 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.
- Van Cleef & Arpels 'Vintage Alhambra' Mother of Pearl and Diamond RingBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYAuthentic Van Cleef & Arpels 'Vintage Alhambra' ring crafted in 18 karat white gold centers on a clover motif in mother-of-pearl set with a round brilliant cut diamond center weighin...Category
2010s Cocktail Rings
MaterialsDiamond, Pearl, White Gold
- Verdura 'Pebble' Chalcedony BraceletBy VerduraLocated in New York, NYAuthentic Verdura Pebble bracelet crafted in 18 karat yellow gold. Dating back to 1940, the Pebble bracelet is one of Verdura's most celebrated designs...Category
Early 2000s Link Bracelets
MaterialsChalcedony, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Hermès 'Chaîne d'Ancre' Yellow Gold BraceletBy HermèsLocated in New York, NYAuthentic Hermès Chaîne d'ancre bracelet crafted in 18 karat yellow gold. The iconic ship anchor links are completed by a toggle clasp. The links measure .75 inches x .44 inches and ...Category
Mid-20th Century Chain Bracelets
Materials18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Graff 'Icon' Multi Shape Diamond Engagement RingBy GraffLocated in New York, NYAuthentic Graff engagement ring crafted in platinum. The ring features mixed shape and pavé diamonds of an estimated 2.70 carats total weight. Centering on a heart shaped diamond (F...Category
2010s Engagement Rings
MaterialsDiamond, Platinum
- Cartier 'Paillettes' White Gold Diamond RingBy CartierLocated in New York, NYAuthentic Cartier Paillettes ring crafted in 18k white gold. Featuring moveable fan-like sections that are encrusted with diamonds of approximately 3.40 carats total weight. The ba...Category
Early 2000s Contemporary Fashion Rings
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Chanel Gold and Diamond Camellia Multi Strand Flapper NecklaceBy ChanelLocated in New York, NYAuthentic Chanel necklace crafted in 18k yellow gold. The long flapper style necklace is comprised of several fine chains that are connected at the top and hang loosely at the botto...Category
2010s French Multi-Strand Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels 18K Rose Gold Hammered Sweet Alhambra BraceletBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Banbury, GBSKU AT-2340 Comes With Box Only Date 2016 Model VCARO8DC00 Serial Number JExxxxx Metal 18k Rose Gold Weight 2.3 g Length 18 cm Condition Excellent __________________________________...Category
2010s French Chain Bracelets
Materials18k Gold, Rose Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Yellow Gold Malachite Magic Alhambra 5 Motif Bracelet VCAO3AUBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in London, GBA luxurious 18k yellow gold malachite bracelet by Van Cleef & Arpels from the Magic Alhambra collection. The bracelet features 5 four leaf clover motifs that vary in size, set to the...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Charm Bracelets
MaterialsGold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$11,518Free Shipping - Van Cleef & Arpels 5 Motifs Vintage Alhambra Bracelet Blue Agate 18k Yellow GoldBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Miami, FLDesigner: Van Cleef & Arpels Collection: Vintage Alhambra Metal: Yellow Gold Metal Purity: 18k Stone: Blue Agate Includes: VCA Box VCA Authenticity Certificate ...Category
2010s French Charm Bracelets
MaterialsAgate, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Onyx Bracelet in 18k Yellow Gold Full SetBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Miami, FLBrand: Van Cleef & Arpels Model: Vintage Alhambra Bracelet Stone: Onyx Metal: 18k Yellow Gold Includes: VCA Box VCA Authenticity CertificateCategory
2010s French Charm Bracelets
MaterialsOnyx, Yellow Gold
- Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Charm BraceletBy CartierLocated in New York, NYVariously-shaped old-cut diamond-set charms depicting a set of golf clubs – signed Cartier, a bell – signed Van Cleef & Arpels, a duck signed Cartier, a horseshoe – signed...Category
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Charm Bracelets
MaterialsAmethyst, Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Platinum
- Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Vintage Malachite 5 Station BraceletBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Chicago, ILCirca 2021 Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Vintage 18k Yellow Gold and Malachite 5 Station Bracelet, each station measuring 9/16 X 9/16 inch and 7 3/8 inches in length. This is complete ...Category
2010s French Link Bracelets
MaterialsMalachite, 18k 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?