Van Cleef & Arpels Playful Elephant Clip
View Similar Items
Van Cleef & Arpels Playful Elephant Clip
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:18k Gold
- Stone:Diamond,Emerald
- Stone Cut:Round Cut
- Dimensions:Height: 1.25 in (31.75 mm)Width: 1 in (25.4 mm)Depth: 0.75 in (19.05 mm)
- Place of Origin:France
- Period:1960-1969
- Date of Manufacture:1960
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Riverdale, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4011816032
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.
- Coral Amethyst Gold Textured Clip, attributed Van CleefLocated in Riverdale, NYLovely quality textured 18K gold cabochon clip with pink coral and amythest spheres. Similar in design to a Van Cleef style with matching pendant drop....Category
Vintage 1970s Unknown Brooches
MaterialsAmethyst, Coral, 18k Gold
- Charming J. LaCloche Elephant ClipBy LaClocheLocated in Riverdale, NYPlayful LaCloche Elephant Clip Brooch from the 1950's in 18k gold with gem stones. Charming rendition of a pebble finished elephant with calibre cut sapphires across his blanket edged...Category
Vintage 1950s French Brooches
MaterialsRuby, Blue Sapphire, Turquoise, 18k Gold
- Gemstone Cabochon Boomerang ClipLocated in Riverdale, NYGemstone Cabochon Boomerang Clip with a series of graduated oval cabochons set in 18k gold on a carved bone boomerang shaped clip brooch. Green and pink tourmalines are sued along wi...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Brooches
MaterialsAmethyst, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
- Diamond Gold Swirled Leaf ClipLocated in Riverdale, NYElegant Gold Swirled Leaf clip of 18K gold textured leaves, some accented with tiny diamonds (14 in total) set in contrasting white gold. Weighty and dimensional swirl clip-brooch wi...Category
Vintage 1960s American Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold
- Large 18K Leaf Ornamented Spray ClipLocated in Riverdale, NYLarge Leaf Ornamented Spray clip custom made in 18k gold. Large scale with central leaf cluster. There are both florentined and high polish sprays which emanate from the center to give the spray a dimensional feel like a pair of wings...Category
Vintage 1950s American Brooches
Materials18k Gold
- Unusual Mechanical Jewelled Gold Clown Dress ClipLocated in Riverdale, NYThis unusual clown or Japanese mask dress clip has a jointed mouth which allows the ominous sapphire teeth to open and close. Beautifully rendered in both matte and shiny 18K gold. T...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Retro Gold ClipBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYRetro 1950s Van Cleef & Arpels clip, set in 18k yellow gold. Measures 1 5/8" x 0.75". Hallmarked on the back - Van Cleef & Arpels. Weight of the piece - 16.9 grams.Category
Vintage 1950s French Retro Brooches
MaterialsGold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Ludo Gold ClipsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYThese “Ludo-Hexagone” French Retro 18 karat gold and diamond pair of double clips by Van Cleef & Arpels are comprised of 84 round brilliant cut diamonds in a honeycomb and etched sta...Category
Vintage 1940s French Rococo Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Gold Dragonfly ClipBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Beverly Hills, CAGorgeous figural "dragonfly" clip. Made, signed and numbered by VAN CLEEF & ARPELS. 18K white gold, pave set brilliant white diamonds (2.55 carats, F-G, VVS). 1 3/4"x 1 1/2." A spark...Category
1990s French Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Yellow Gold Scarecrow Clip BroochBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Los Angeles, CAVan Cleef & Arpels gem studded yellow gold scarecrow clip brooch circa 1966. * ABOUT THIS ITEM: #P-DJ1018A. Scroll down for specific details. This charming little fellow is a marvel of design and workmanship embodying the standards of excellence that are Van Cleef & Arpels' signature traits. That sets it apart. The body is made up of straws formed by shaggy-looking gold. Topped by a windblown scarf sheltering a head formed by a large green onyx bead supporting a golden top hat stuffed with more golden straws. Its coat is buttoned by a pair of sparkling Van Cleef diamonds...Category
Vintage 1960s French Modern Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 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: 5 x 1.5 c...Category
Late 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: 4 x 2 cm ...Category
20th Century French Brooches
Materials18k 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?