VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Large Gold, Diamond and Ruby Clip Brooch
View Similar Items
VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Large Gold, Diamond and Ruby Clip Brooch
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:18k Gold
- Stone:Diamond,Ruby
- Place of Origin:France
- Period:1960-1969
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Excellent.
- Seller Location:Chicago, IL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: JU11070494331
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.
- 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 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 "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
- Cartier Paris Yellow Gold and Diamond Dolphin clip BroochBy CartierLocated in Chicago, ILCirca 1990s Cartier Paris Whimsical Dolphin Clip Brooch, measuring 1 1/2 inches in length X 1 inch, set with Round Brilliant cut Diamonds totaling 3.50 Carats, further set with an Em...Category
1990s French Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Large Vintage Yellow Gold Enamel and Gem Set Owl Clip BroochLocated in Chicago, ILCirca 1970s 18K Yellow Gold Owl Brooch, measuring 2 1/2 inches from wing end to end, 2 inches tall and weighing 33.2 grams. Finely detailed with Hand Chased Gold work, Enamel Feather...Category
Vintage 1970s Unknown Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Enamel
- David Webb Large Yellow Gold and Gem set Flower Clip BroochBy David WebbLocated in Chicago, ILCirca 1970s David Webb 18k Yellow Gold Flower Clip Brooch, measuring 3 1/4 inches in length with the flower Portion measuring 2 inches in diameter and weighing 34 Grams, assembled i...Category
Vintage 1970s American Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Gold Ruby and Diamond BroochBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYSigned Van Cleef & Arpels (VC&A), this 18 karat gold brooch has a snowflake motif and features round cabochon rubies (1.75 carat) that are accented by round diamonds (approximately 0...Category
Vintage 1930s Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Ruby, 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 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, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels 18k Gold Bow Clip BroochBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Magenta, ITVan Cleef & Arpels, a bold and chunky clip brooch designed as a bow crafted in 18k yellow gold. Stamped VCA 750 and serial number. Good condition, no defects. Dimensions: 4 x 2 cm ...Category
20th Century French Brooches
Materials18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels 18k Gold Bow Clip BroochBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Magenta, ITVan Cleef & Arpels, a bold and chunky clip brooch designed as a bow crafted in 18k yellow gold. Stamped VCA 750 and serial number. Good condition, no defects. Dimensions: 5 x 1.5 c...Category
Late 20th Century French Brooches
Materials18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels 18K Yellow Gold, Diamond and Ruby Ballerina BroochBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYVan Cleef & Arpels 18K Yellow Gold, Diamond and Ruby Ballerina Brooch. Louis Arpels so inspired by his love for classical ballets at the Opera Garnier in Paris is said to have concei...Category
Vintage 1980s Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Ruby, 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?