Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Onyx and Diamond Wristwatch Bracelet in Gold
View Similar Items
Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Onyx and Diamond Wristwatch Bracelet in Gold
About the Item
- Creator:
- Case Material:
- Stone:
- Stone Cut:
- Style:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:2000
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:Seller: 30-55-1681stDibs: LU639314274892
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 Onyx and Diamond Chain Bracelet in 18 Karat Yellow GoldBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in London, GBA lovely Van Cleef and Arpels onyx and diamond chain link bracelet set in 18k yellow gold. The bracelet is composed of ten rectangular shaped ...Category
Vintage 1980s Unknown Art Deco Chain Bracelets
MaterialsDiamond, Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Onyx Pendant Necklace in 18ct Yellow GoldBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in London, GBA vintage Van Cleef & Arpels onyx disk pendant necklace in 18-karat yellow gold, circa 1970. The pendant features a hinged enhancer with twisted carved detailing, from which hangs a...Category
20th Century British Drop Necklaces
MaterialsOnyx, Yellow 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
- Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Coral and Diamond Hoop Earrings in 18k Yellow GoldBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in London, GBA highly unique vintage pair of Van Cleef & Arpels coral and diamond clip on hoop earrings set in 18k yellow gold. These beautiful hoops are composed in a graduated circular motif a...Category
Vintage 1970s Retro Hoop Earrings
MaterialsCoral, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
- Vintage 1980's Van Cleef & Arpels Lapis and Diamond Dress RingBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in London, GBA beautiful vintage Van Cleef and Arpels lapis and diamond bombe dress ring set in 18k yellow gold. The ring features a unique plaited desi...Category
Vintage 1980s French Dome Rings
MaterialsDiamond, Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Vintage 1970's Van Cleef and Arpels Green Chrysoprase and Diamond Dress RingBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in London, GBA beautiful vintage Van Cleef and Arpels diamond and chrysoprase dress ring set in 18k yellow gold. The ring centrally features a deep green chrysoprase stone which has been beautif...Category
Vintage 1970s British Retro Cocktail Rings
MaterialsDiamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Gold Diamond Lady's WristwatchBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYVan Cleef & Arpels 18 karat yellow gold wristwatch featuring approximately 5 carats of diamonds. The dial is made out of round cut diamonds. The case's width is 2 cm. The links on th...Category
Vintage 1980s Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Gold Cadenas WristwatchBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYVan Cleef & Arpels 18 karat yellow gold wristwatch from the iconic Cadenas collection. This watch is very well made and features beautiful craftsmanship in the strap, which is made o...Category
1990s Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Pierre Arpels Diamond White Gold WristwatchBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Holland, PA18k White Gold Diamond Pierre Arpels 42mm Wristwatch by Van Cleef & Arpels. With 49 round brilliant cut diamonds VVS1 clarity, E color on bezel, 4 round...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels 18k Yellow Gold WristwatchBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Geneva, CHVan Cleef and Arpels 18k yellow gold wristwatch. Signed and numbered. Bracelet size: From 14.9 centimeters to 18.00 centimeters. Total bra...Category
Late 20th Century European Wrist Watches
Materials18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Cadenas Diamond White Gold WristwatchBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYThis exquisite Van Cleef & Arpels Cadenas wristwatch is crafted in 18k white gold, pave-set with 1858 full-cut brilliant round D-F VVS1-VVS2 diamonds weighing an estimated 10.50 cara...Category
2010s French Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, White Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Ladies Yellow Gold Diamond VCA WristwatchBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Miami, FLA lady's VAN CLEEF & ARPELS 18k yellow gold and diamond-set wristwatch with mother-of-pearl dial, circa 1990. All original with two round diamond spheres pendants with diamonds, stingray leather stape with mesh Gold cords clasp and a sliding diamond button in mint condition in stock This watch comes with its original box and all document paper...Category
2010s French Wrist Watches
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?