Van Cleef & Arpels Enamel Diamond Gold Butterfly Brooch
View Similar Items
Van Cleef & Arpels Enamel Diamond Gold Butterfly Brooch
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:18k Gold
- Stone:Diamond
- Weight:1.15 ct
- Dimensions:Height: 1.38 in (35.06 mm)Length: 1.5 in (38.1 mm)
- Place of Origin:France
- Period:1980-1989
- Date of Manufacture:1980
- Condition:Very minor hard to see , scuff in outer glaze of enamel close to the body at the edge of the wing.
- Seller Location:Chicago, IL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU94464862
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 Paris Large Yellow Gold Wood and Diamond Flower BroochBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Chicago, ILCirca 1970s Van Cleef & Arpels Paris 18k Yellow Gold Flower Clip Brooch, measuring 2 3/4 inches in length with the flower portion measuring 2 inches in diameter. 5 Wood Pedals and a ...Category
Vintage 1970s French Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Rose de Noel Gold Diamonds and Coral Large Clip BroochBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Chicago, ILVan Cleef & Arpels Rose de Noel Collection clip Brooch, measuring 2 inches in Diameter, comprised of 6 Light Pink Coral Pedals with an 18k Yellow Gold center set with 7 Round Brillia...Category
Early 2000s French Brooches
MaterialsCoral, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Lapis RingBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Chicago, ILCirca 2000 Van Cleef & Arpels 18K Yellow Gold Ring, centrally set with an oval Lapis Lazuli. Signed and numbered, finger size = 6 1/4Category
Early 2000s French Cocktail Rings
- Van Cleef & Arpels "Charms" large Diamond and Rose Gold Wrist WatchBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Chicago, ILCirca 2020 Van Cleef & Arples "Charms" Collection Wrist Watch, 32 M.M 18k Rose Gold 2 Piece water resistant case, 3 Row Diamonds Bezel totaling 2 Carats with dangling Diamond set Alh...Category
2010s French Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
- Tiffany & Company Early 1900 Gold and Diamond double Butterfly BroochBy Tiffany & Co.Located in Chicago, ILCirca 1900 Tiffany & Company Double Butterfly Brooch, measuring 2 1/4 inches in length. Silver top and 14k Gold back, set with old Mine and Rose cut Diamonds totaling approximately ...Category
Antique Early 1900s American Late Victorian Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Silver
- Large Yellow Gold and Gem Set Butterfly Brooch, 1920Located in Chicago, ILCirca 1920 18K yellow Gold Butterfly Brooch, measuring 2 5/8 inches across X 1 5/8 Inch. Set with 4 large rose cut Diamonds totaling approximately 3 carats and further set with small...Category
Vintage 1920s Swiss Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Ruby Butterfly BroochBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYA petite butterfly brooch by Van Cleef & Arpels dating from the 1980s. This abstract pin features a quatrefoil with oval-cut radiant rubies framed with white round brilliant diamonds...Category
Vintage 1980s Brooches
MaterialsWhite Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Wood Butterfly BroochBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYVAN CLEEF & ARPELS Wood Butterfly Brooch An 18k yellow gold butterfly motif pin brooch/clip. Stamped “Van Cleef & Arpels“, serial number, French hallmarks ...Category
Vintage 1970s French Brooches
Materials18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Ruby Yellow Gold Butterfly BroochBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYVan Cleef & Arpels Diamond Ruby Butterfly Brooch in 18k Yellow Gold. A petite butterfly brooch by Van Cleef & Arpels dating from the 1980s. This abstract pin features a quatrefoil w...Category
Vintage 1980s American Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Butterfly Diamond White Gold Brooch NecklaceBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Feasterville, PAA fabulous Van Cleef & Aprels diamond brooch depicting a butterfly and floral motif crafted in 18k white gold showcasing the finest Van Cleef & Arpels round brilliant cut diamonds. T...Category
Early 2000s Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, White Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels White Coral Gold Butterfly BroochBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Feasterville, PAA stunning butterfly brooch by Van Cleef & Arpels set with beautiful white coral in 18k yellow gold.Category
Vintage 1980s Brooches
MaterialsCoral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Papillon 18k Yellow Gold Diamond Butterfly BroochBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYVan Cleef & Arpels Papillon 18k Yellow Gold Diamond Butterfly Brooch An openwork butterfly design with round brilliant-cut diamonds of ...Category
Vintage 1980s Contemporary Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, 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?