Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Necklace VCARF48500
View Similar Items
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Necklace VCARF48500
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:
- Weight:25.1 g
- Dimensions:Length: 17 in (431.8 mm)
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:21st Century
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:Seller: RD39281stDibs: LU590311059512
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 White Gold Mother of Pearl Vintage Alhambra Necklace VCARF488By Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in London, GBA beautiful 18k white gold mother of pearl necklace from the Vintage Alhambra collection by Van Cleef & Arpels. Features 20 iconic clover motifs, each set with a beaded edge and a mo...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Multi-Strand Necklaces
Materials18k Gold, White Gold
$22,094Free Shipping - Ltd Edition Van Cleef & Arpels Onyx Vintage Alhambra Necklace 29 MotifBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in London, GBAn iconic 18k yellow gold necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels from the Vintage Alhambra collection. The necklace features 29 iconic 4 leaf clover...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Multi-Strand Necklaces
Materials18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels White Gold Magic Alhambra 6 Motif Chalcedony NecklaceBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in London, GBA luxurious 18k white gold necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels from the Magic Alhambra collection VCARN18900. The necklace features 6 four leaf clover motifs alternating in size, set with...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Link Necklaces
Materials18k Gold, White Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels White Gold Mother of Pearl Vintage Alhambra 20 Motif NecklaceBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in London, GBA beautiful 18k white gold mother of pearl necklace from the Vintage Alhambra (VCARF48800) collection by Van Cleef & Arpels. Featuring 20 iconic clover motifs, each motif is set with...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Link Necklaces
Materials18k Gold, White Gold
$21,710Free Shipping - Van Cleef & Arpels White Gold Diamond Alhambra RingBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in London, GBA lovely 18k white gold Van Cleef & Arpels diamond ring from the Alhambra collection. The central flower motif is set with 4 round round brilliant cut diamonds in a pave setting weig...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Fashion Rings
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Limited Edition Letterwood Vintage Alhambra 5 Motif BraceletBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in London, GBA limited edition letterwood Vintage Alhambra bracelet by Van Cleef & Arpels. The bracelet features 5 iconic 4 leaf clover motifs, each set with a beaded edge and a letterwood inlay,...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Link Bracelets
Materials18k Gold, Rose 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 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 NecklaceBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Palm Beach, FLVan Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra limited edition “Bois D’Amourette” necklace, designed with five textured 18k rose gold clover-shaped motifs alternating with five clover-shaped le...Category
2010s French Link Necklaces
Materials18k Gold, Rose Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Turquoise 10 Motif White Gold NecklaceBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Holland, PA18k White Gold Alhambra 10 Motifs Turquoise Necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels. With 10 motifs of turquoise alhambra stones 15mm each. *** This is an extremely rare, highly collectible turquoise Alhambra necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels*** This necklace comes with service paper from a VCA store and a VCA box. Details: Length: 17" Width: 15mm Weight: 22 grams Stamped Hallmarks: VCA 750...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Choker Necklaces
MaterialsTurquoise, White Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Diamond / Turquoise 20 Motif Necklace LtdBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Miami, FLMightychic offers a limited edition rare and highly collectible Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra diamond and turquoise 20 Motif necklace. Set in 18 Yellow Gold. Necklace can be w...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Link Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond and Lapis Lazuli Alhambra NecklaceBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYVintage, limited edition rareVan Cleef & Arpels Vintage "Alhambra" diamond and lapis lazuli 20 clover motif necklace . ( with Van Cleef & Arpels Certificate of Authenticity) This nec...Category
Late 20th Century French Artist Link Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Lapis Lazuli, 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?