Van Cleef & Arpels Byzantine Alhambra Yellow Gold Necklace
View Similar Items
Van Cleef & Arpels Byzantine Alhambra Yellow Gold Necklace
About the Item
- Creator:
- Design:
- Metal:
- Weight:76.5 g
- Dimensions:Length: 16 in (406.4 mm)
- Style:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:2000s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: BB104410AA1stDibs: LU1740117860652
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
- 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
- Rolex Yellow Gold 'Cellini' Watch, Ref. 4014By RolexLocated in New York, NYAuthentic Rolex unisex watch made in brushed 18 karat yellow gold with vibrant mirror finish sunset orange dial. Watch case is an elegant 30 x 22.5 ...Category
Vintage 1970s Swiss Wrist Watches
MaterialsYellow 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
- 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
- Cartier 'Vendome Trinity' Tri-Color Gold Watch, Ref. 8100By CartierLocated in New York, NYAuthentic Vendome Trinity de Cartier watch crafted in 18 karat yellow, pink, and white gold, with matching bracelet. The round case diameter measures 24.5 mm and features a white dia...Category
1990s Swiss Wrist Watches
MaterialsGold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Large 24 Motifs Alhambra Yellow Gold Choker NecklaceBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Holland, PA18k Yellow Gold 24 Large Motifs Alhambra Choker Necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels. With 24 large motifs of 18k yellow gold Alhambras 1" each. Details: Length: 16.5" Width: 1" Weight: ...Category
1990s French Choker Necklaces
MaterialsYellow Gold
- VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Byzantine Alhambra 18k Yellow Gold Long Chain NecklaceBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYThis classic long necklace from the iconic Byzantine Alhambra collection by Van Cleef & Arpels is crafted in 18k yellow gold and features a series of polished gold openwork Alhambra ...Category
1990s Link Necklaces
MaterialsYellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Tubogas Diamond Yellow Gold NecklaceBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYVan Cleef & Arpels Tubogas Passe-Partout Necklace in 18k Yellow Gold. . This piece features a tubogas chain with a hidden clasp that doubles as a pendant, which is also tubular in fo...Category
Mid-20th Century French Retro Choker Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Tubogas Gold NecklaceBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New Orleans, LAThis exceptional Van Cleef & Arpels necklace is a wonder of retro design. This necklace is comprised of a revolutionary, flexible Tubogas link chain of 18K yellow gold. Slightly rais...Category
20th Century French Retro Choker Necklaces
MaterialsWhite Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Bois D'Amourette Rose Gold NecklaceBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Miami, FLMightychic offers an extremely rare and highly collectible Vintage Alhambra Collection necklace featured in 18K Rose Gold and Bois d'Amourette (letterwood). Vintage and aged to perfection this series is created by a French craftsman using antique machinery...Category
2010s French Choker Necklaces
Materials18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Yellow Gold Choker NecklaceBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Holland, PA18k Yellow Gold Diamond Choker Necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels. With72 brilliant round cut diamond VVS1 clarity, E color total ...Category
20th Century French Choker Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, 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?