Van Cleef & Arpels George L'Enfant Mid-Century Gold Angel Hair Collar
View Similar Items
Van Cleef & Arpels George L'Enfant Mid-Century Gold Angel Hair Collar
About the Item
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.
- George L'Enfant Van Cleef & Arpels Ruby Gold Cat Silhouette Pendant NecklaceBy Georges L'EnfantLocated in Greenwich, CTIt is the cat's meow. With ruby eyes and stylized feline fur, this Georges L'Enfant Van Cleef & Arpels vintage 18 karat yellow gold silhouette of a cat will keep you meowing 24/7. ...Category
Vintage 1970s French Modernist Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsRuby, Gold, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels George L'Enfant Vintage Capricorn Zodiac Gold Charm PendantBy Georges L'EnfantLocated in Greenwich, CTJust arrived and waiting for those born a Capricorn (December 22-January 19th) this large size coveted Van Cleef & Arpels Paris Georges L'Enfant vintage pendant zodiac charm will alw...Category
Vintage 1970s French Modernist Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsGold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Mid-Century Gold Padlock Watch BraceletBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Greenwich, CTLock up precious time with this Van Cleef & Arpels mid-century padlock gold watch bracelet. With a chic modern style, this one-of-a-kind and collectible timepiece will make sure you...Category
Vintage 1940s French Retro Wrist Watches
MaterialsGold, 18k Gold
- Cartier Georges L'Enfant Paris Virgo Zodiac Gold Modernist PendantBy Georges L'EnfantLocated in Greenwich, CTWith the Virgo Zodiac sign of the harvest maiden engraved on the front and its numerical sign on the back, this Georges L'Enfant for Cartier Paris 18 karat yellow gold modernist oval...Category
Vintage 1970s French Modernist Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsGold, 18k Gold
- Cartier Paris Georges L'Enfant Diamond Gold Door Knocker Clip EarringsBy Georges L'EnfantLocated in Greenwich, CTKnock knock who is there? It is an exquisite pair of Cartier Paris Georges L'Enfant clip door knocker diamond yellow gold vintage earrings. Sensuously swinging from small diamond t...Category
Vintage 1970s French Modernist Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold
- Hermes Paris Georges L'Enfant 'Chaine D'Ancre' Vintage Toggle Link BraceletBy HermèsLocated in Greenwich, CTCrisp and well executed this rare large size Hermes Georges L'Enfant Paris 'chaine d'ancre' vintage toggle link bracelet is the statement piece you have been searching for. With ten ...Category
Vintage 1980s French Modernist Link Bracelets
Materials18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Georges L'enfant Taurus Zodiac PendantBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Beverly Hills, CADESIGNER: Van Cleef & Arpels CIRCA: 1970s MATERIALS: 18K Yellow Gold WEIGHT: 6 grams MEASUREMENTS: 3/4" Diameter HALLMARKS: VCA, 18K A vintage (circa 1970s) 18k gold Taurus Zodiac ...Category
Vintage 1970s Pendant Necklaces
Materials18k Gold
- VAN CLEEF & ARPELS George L'Enfant Ruby Yellow Gold Cat Pendant NecklaceBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYThis rare and collectible antique Van Cleef & Arpels pendant was designed by Georges L'Enfant and features the shape of a cat crafted in textured 18k yello...Category
Vintage 1960s Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsRuby, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef and Arpels Yellow Gold CollarBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Beverly Hills, CAVintage 1980s Van Cleef and Arpels yellow gold choker necklace. This variation is for a medium size neckline the necklace is 16 inches...Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Materials18k Gold
- George L'enfant for Hermès 18 Karat Yellow Gold Vintage Collar NecklaceBy HermèsLocated in London, GBA George L'enfant for Hermès 18 karat yellow gold vintage collar necklace, circa 1950. The necklace is designed as a uniform row of articulate...Category
Vintage 1950s French Retro Choker Necklaces
MaterialsGold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Fancy Yellow, White Diamond Collar NecklaceBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYA prestigious piece by Van Cleef & Arpels, this flexible collar necklace is pavé set with an opulence of yellow and white diamonds, weighing approximately 7 and 15 carats respectivel...Category
Vintage 1980s American Choker Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, White Diamond, 18k 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
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?