Van Cleef & Arpels 18 Karat Gold and 3.0 Carat Diamond Timepiece, circa 1940s
View Similar Items
Van Cleef & Arpels 18 Karat Gold and 3.0 Carat Diamond Timepiece, circa 1940s
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:
- Stone:
- Stone Cut:
- Weight:48.94 g
- Dimensions:Length: 7 in (177.8 mm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1940s
- Condition:comes with original VCA fitted box from the 1940s.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1661110928492
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 18 Karat Yellow Gold Fringe Necklace, circa 1980sBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYVintage Van Cleef & Arpels 18 Karat Yellow Gold Fringe Necklace c.1980s For over a century, Van Cleef & Arpels has catered to the absolute...Category
20th Century French Modern Multi-Strand Necklaces
MaterialsYellow Gold, 18k Gold
- Victorian 18 Karat Gold and 2.0 Carat Emerald and 3.0 Carat Diamond Halo BangleLocated in New York, NYVictorian 18K Yellow Gold and 2.0Ct Colombian Emerald and 3.0cts. Old European Cut Halo Bangle Additional Information: Period: Victorian Year: 1880s...Category
Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Bangles
MaterialsDiamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
- Retro French 18 Karat Yellow Gold Necklace, circa 1940sLocated in New York, NYRetro French 18k Yellow Gold Necklace c.1940s Additional Information: Period: Retro Year: 1940s Material: 18k Yellow Gold Weight: 71.55g Length: 43.4cm/17.08 inches Condition: Pris...Category
20th Century French Retro More Necklaces
MaterialsYellow Gold, 18k Gold
- Retro 18 Karat Yellow and Rose Gold Tank Bracelet, circa 1940sLocated in New York, NYRetro 18K Yellow and Rose Gold Tank Bracelet c.1940s Additional Information: Period: Retro Year: 1940s Material: 18k Pink and Yellow Gold Weight: 117.87g Length: 19.8cm/7.8 inches W...Category
20th Century Italian Retro Retro Bracelets
MaterialsYellow Gold, Rose Gold
- Retro French 18 Karat Yellow Gold Graduated Ball Chain, circa 1940sLocated in New York, NYRetro French 18k Yellow Gold Graduated Ball Chain c.1940s Additional Information: Period: Retro Year: c.1940s Material: 18k Yellow Gold Weight: 23.11g Length: 44.45cm/17.75 Inches C...Category
20th Century French Retro Chain Necklaces
MaterialsYellow Gold, 18k Gold
- French Retro Platinum and 32.0 Carats Mixed Cut Diamond Bracelet, circa 1940sLocated in New York, NYPeriod: Retro Year: 1940s Material: Platinum, 32cts Mixed Cut featuring Marquis and Baguette and Old European Cut Diamonds Weight: 82.5 grams Length: 17.78cm./7 inches Width: 1.875cm...Category
20th Century Unknown Retro Retro Bracelets
MaterialsDiamond, Platinum
- Van Cleef and Arpels Diamond and Textured Gold Bracelet, ca. 1940sBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Idar-Oberstein, DEVan Cleef and Arpels Diamond 18k Gold Bracelet, ca. 1940s A very chic and well wearable diamond and gold link bracelet made by Van Cleef & Arpels. The bracelet alternates with diamo...Category
Vintage 1940s French Retro Link Bracelets
MaterialsDiamond, Gold, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef And Arpels Diamond Bracelet 18k Yellow GoldBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Beverly Hills, CAVan Cleef And Aprels Diamond , Yellow Gold and Platinum Bracelet Signed and numbered Diamond: Est. 20 cts of D E VVS Quality Diamonds, Signed Van Cleef and Arpels with Numbers NY ...Category
Vintage 1960s French Link Bracelets
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
- Van Cleef Arpels Frivole 18K Gold Diamond BraceletBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Banbury, GBDandelion Antiques Code AT-2209 Brand Van Cleef Arpels Model VCARP3W400 Date Circa 2...Category
2010s French Chain Bracelets
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Heart Links Bracelet in 18 Carat Gold and DiamondsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Paris, FRVAN CLEEF & ARPELS Articulated Heart Mesh Bracelet in 18 Carat yellow Gold and Diamonds. There are 22 Heart Links. Five of the Hearts meshes are paved with Diamonds Length: 18 cm Wid...Category
Vintage 1980s French Link Bracelets
MaterialsDiamond, Gold, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels yellow gold & diamond bracelet circa 1980sBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Addlestone, GBThis rare example of French contemporary design. Van Cleef & Arpels yellow gold and diamond bracelet Circa 1980s This beautiful linked bracelet, classic for its time, set with 17 r...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Link Bracelets
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Diamond Emerald 18 Karat VCA Gold BraceletBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Miami, FLExplore your whimsical charming nature, with this glorious Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Diamond Emerald 18K Gold Bracelet. This French VCA emerald and diamo...Category
Vintage 1980s French Retro Link Bracelets
MaterialsDiamond, Emerald, Gold, 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?