The Place Vendôme jewelry house is going to California for the exhibition they are holding at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana until February 15. The exhibition, entitled “A Quest for Beauty: The Art of Van Cleef & Arpels” shows over 200 of the brand’s most iconic pieces, from a collection of 700, starting from the early 20th century and going along the 21st century from the Maison’s own archives.
Zip necklace in yellow gold, diamonds and emeralds
The necklace designed with a working zipper that can convert into a bracelet was inspired by the duchess of Windsor and took 13 years to engineer.
Van Cleef & Arpels is about elegance, femininity, grace, and that’s why the world’s most stylish women, including Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly, Maria Callas, Charlene of Monaco and Princess Soraya of Iran wore the precious jewelry the house created. Every piece has a story, every piece made history. Here is a tiny part of what can be seen at the Bowers Museum, enjoy the beauty, apreciate the technical skills, love the creativity.
Dragon Vanity Case by Van Cleef & Arpels in gold, jade, diamonds and enamel, 1923
Van Cleef & Arpels earrings with marquise and baguette cut diamonds and pearls, owned by Grace Kelly in 1953
Van Cleef & Arpels necklace in diamonds and pearls, owned by Grace Kelly in 1953
A ‘Passe-Partout’ necklace circa 1940s.
A Cambodian-inspired diamond cuff bracelet.
A golden dragon brooch
Related articles
- Hélène Rochas’ Jewelry On Sale At Christie’s Auction House In Geneva (astairwaytofashion.com)
- A Quest for Beauty: The Art of Van Cleef & Arpels (raymondleejewelers.net)
A Stairway To Fashion 
Pingback: Van Cleef & Arpels presents its Ballet Précieux collection | the CITIZENS of FASHION