A
century ago, the jewellery designer Alfred Van Cleef introduced an extraordinary floral bracelet at the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels in Paris, the fair that is credited with launching the art deco movement. Adorned with diamonds, rubies and emeralds set in platinum, Van Cleef’s Fleurs enlacées, roses rouges et blanches (Entwined Flowers) cuff evoked a border of blowsy red and white roses and stunned the judges, who awarded the jewel the Grand Prix.
Since then, bejewelled buds, sparkling corollas and golden leaves have flourished within Van Cleef & Arpels’ design repertoire. “Nature has been a perennial source of inspiration,” says the company’s CEO, Catherine Rénier. “For me, this theme embodies freshness, vitality and joy.”
Entwined Flowers cuff, 1924, in platinum, diamonds, rubies, emerald and onyx. Van Cleef & Arpels Heritage Collection
Bouquet clip, 1938, in yellow gold, rubies, sapphires, aquamarines and topazes. Van Cleef & Arpels Heritage Collection
