VAN CLEEF & ARPELS black onyx VINTAGE ALHAMBRA 10 MOTIF Necklace
About the Item
- Creator:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:unknown
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Zürich, CH
- Reference Number:
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Zürich, Switzerland
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- BOTTEGA VENETA short CUBIC ZIRCONIA OXIDISED STERLING SILVER NecklaceBy Bottega VenetaLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Bottega Veneta Metallic Cubic Zirconia And Oxidised Silver Necklace. Has been worn once and is in virtually new condition. Measurements Width 0.9cm (0.4in) Length 43...Category
2010s Chain Necklaces
- BOTTEGA VENETA brown leather & STERLING SILVER HAND NecklaceBy Bottega VenetaLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Bottega Veneta Intrecciato necklace in antiqued sterling silver. Hand woven chain with dark brown leather inset hand pedant. Has been worn and is in excellent conditio...Category
2010s Chain Necklaces
- CHANEL orange & gold 2018 CRUISE PARIS GREECE BEADED Chain NecklaceBy ChanelLocated in Zürich, CHauthentic Chanel Paris - Greece necklace in rust, orange, burgundy and honey colored faux stones embellished with CC logo in light-gold tone metal. Has...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Beaded Necklaces
- CHANEL gold-tone 2014 14V CAMELLIA CRYSTAL & PEARL CHAIN NecklaceBy ChanelLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Chanel chain necklace in gold-tone metal with crystal and faux pearl encrusted Camellia pendant. Has been worn and is in excellent condition. 2014 Continuous Collect...Category
2010s Beaded Necklaces
- LANVIN metal CRYSTAL WING & STONE CHAIN Necklace Retails $9.8kBy Lanvin ParisLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Lanvin short necklace in light gold-tone and antique silver chain with crystal encrusted wing and pendant with multiple precious stones. Has been worn and is in excell...Category
2010s Beaded Necklaces
- LANVIN gold & silver CRYSTAL WING & PEARL CHAIN NecklaceBy Lanvin ParisLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Lanvin necklace in gold-tone and antique silver chains and black grosgrain ribbon with faux pearls. Features a crystal encrusted wing. Has been worn and is in excellen...Category
2010s Beaded Necklaces
- Ammanii Garnet Chain Necklace with Charms in Vermeil GoldBy AmmaniiLocated in Beverly Hills, CAOur Message of Peace necklace is inspired by the desire to spread the vibes of peace and tolerance to all the corners of the earth. The pendant is an ov...Category
2010s Egyptian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
MaterialsGarnet, Zircon, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
- 18 Karat White Gold Chain Necklace with Rectangular Diamonds PendantLocated in Rome, IT18 karat white gold chain necklace with rectangular pendant diamonds and four round diamonds The pendant has five baguette cut diamonds and 28 round cut diamonds all around The chai...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
- 1.16 ct of six "naked" Diamonds in Pendant on 18 Kt Gold Necklace. Made in ItalyLocated in Rome, ITThe thin necklace in 18 Kt white gold has seven pendants of brilliant cut diamonds, their total weight is ct. 1.16. Its peculiarity is that the diamond...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Chain Necklace/Bracelet with 64.26 Ct of White and Black Diamonds. Handmade.Located in Rome, ITThe necklace is composed of two chain bracelets, a bracelet with ct 30.76 of white diamonds, and another bracelet with ct 33.50 of black diamonds in black burnished gold. The jewel ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Black Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Monica Rich Kosann 18K Yellow Gold and Black Ceramic "Audrey" Link NecklaceBy Monica Rich KosannLocated in Norwalk, CTThis Monica Rich Kosann alternating link necklace represents the fusion of a 21st century material with the inspirations of a 20th century art deco movement. A perfect statement piece!Category
2010s Thai Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Materials18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Gold Interval Bar NecklaceBy Wesley Kloss Fine JewelryLocated in Cleveland, OHThe Interval Bar Necklace shifts from square to triangle end to end. Dynamic and easy, this necklace is a study in subtle motion. A delicate but sturdy 16”/ 1 mm Italian chain makes ...Category
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Materials14k 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?