Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels 18 Karat Gold “Je Te Porterai Bonheur” Wood Pendant
View Similar Items
Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels 18 Karat Gold “Je Te Porterai Bonheur” Wood Pendant
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:
- Weight:8.7 g
- Dimensions:Diameter: 1.18 in (29.98 mm)
- Style:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Circa 1960
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Has not been polished to preserve original marks and engraving.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU807311355402
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.
- Antique Victorian 18 Karat Gold Cabochon Garnet Diamond Heart PendantLocated in New York, NYRare antique Victorian garnet and diamond pendant and locket, circa 1860. The crystal on the reverse can be removed to encase hair or a photo. The garnet is a fabulous cabochon garne...Category
Antique 1860s Unknown High Victorian Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Garnet, 18k Gold
$8,400 Sale Price20% OffFree Shipping - Vintage 18 Karat Yellow English Gold Diamond Heart LocketLocated in New York, NYCharming vintage 18k gold heart locket that opens with a pave diamond heart on the front of the locket, circa 1980. The locket has English hallm...Category
Vintage 1980s British Modern Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Gold, 18k Gold
- Vintage Tiffany & Co. 18 Karat Yellow Gold Present CharmBy Tiffany & Co.Located in New York, NYA vintage closed box with bow present charm made in 18k gold by Tiffany & Co. circa 2000. This charm is a rendering of the classic Tiffany blue box ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsYellow Gold, 18k Gold
- Vintage Enamel Diamond 18 Karat Gold "I Love You" CharmBy MerrinLocated in New York, NYA collectible vintage square charm with "I Love You" around enamel flowers and a diamond made in 18k gold, circa 1950. This is a rare charm. The charm has "...Category
Vintage 1950s American Modern Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
- Vintage Cartier 14 Karat Gold Heart CharmBy CartierLocated in New York, NYA pretty 14k yellow gold heart charm by Cartier with an engraved home on the front of the heart, from 1966. The charm has a detailed engraved house surrounded by trees on the front. ...Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsGold, 14k Gold
- Antique Victorian 14 Karat Gold Turquoise Split Pearl Cross PendantLocated in New York, NYA bright blue turquoise and split pearl 14k gold early Victorian cross pendant. This cross is in excellent condition with no discoloration for he turquoise and the pearls are all cre...Category
Antique 1850s Unknown Early Victorian Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsPearl, Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Classic Vintage Brooch/ PendantBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYClassic Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond, ruby, sapphire & emerald brooch/pendant. Spectacular colorful brooch with 3.32 carats of diamonds, rubie...Category
Vintage 1960s American Artist Brooches
MaterialsEmerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Diamond, 18k Gold
- Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Chrysoprase and Diamond Pendant in 18k GoldBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in London, GBA beautiful vintage Van Cleef & Arpels chrysoprase and diamond pendant set in 18k yellow gold. The pendant is set in an elegant tear drop shape, pave set with sparkly round brillian...Category
1990s Retro Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsChrysophrase, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Guilloché 18K yellow gold Pendant NecklaceBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Banbury, GBSKU AT-2277 Comes With box Only Date 2020 RRP £3500 Inc taxes / $3700 exc taxes / 4000 € Inc taxes Model ARP4KL00 Serial Number JBxxxxx Metal 18k Yellow Gold Weight 6.5 g Width 15 mm...Category
2010s French Pendant Necklaces
Materials18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Coral Diamond Yellow Gold PendantBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Banbury, GBSKU. AT-1896 Brand Van Cleef & Arpels Model VCARA53100 Date Circa 2002 ___________________________________________________________________ Metal 18K Yellow Gold Serial No. BL****** ...Category
Early 2000s French Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsCoral, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Yellow Gold Carnelian Vintage Alhambra PendantBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Palm Beach, FLVan Cleef & Arpels "Vintage Alhambra" pendant, featuring a carved red carnelian in a beaded 18k yellow gold frame. Suspended from a polished 18k yellow gold chain. Stamped "VCA" "Au7...Category
2010s French Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsCarnelian, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Pendant Necklace in 18K Yellow GoldBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in London, GBVan Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Pendant Necklace in 18K Yellow Gold Additional information: Brand: Van Cleef & Arpels Line: Vintage Alhambra Material: Yellow gold (18K) Conditio...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsYellow 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?