Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry takes you on their Grand Tour
In early July, Van Cleef & Arpels presented its latest high jewelry collection at Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week. The Grand Tour comprises 70 pieces , all inspired by a tradition of European culture from the 17th to the 19th century. At the time, it was fashionable for young aristocrats to take lavish trips across Europe to discover its cultural treasures.
Jewelry The Grand Tour: a journey through Europe and time
“ The collection celebrates a tradition that has always fascinated us, ” said Nicolas Bos , CEO of Van Cleef & Arpels. “ The Grand Tour blends the traditions of jewelry and decorative arts. (…) The idea (is) to discover and mix eras and cultures again. To do this, we followed in the footsteps of our predecessors and chose cities that were historically renowned stops. We drew inspiration from antique jewelry, marrying it with our own heritage, style and know-how. The result is like a colorful sketchbook that invites you to immerse yourself in destinations and precious stones. ”
Steps along this scintillating journey include:
- London
- Paris
- Rome
- Venice
- The Swiss Alps
- Florence
- Baden-Baden
The focus of Le Grand Tour jewelry is on Italian cities.
A Van Cleef & Arpels necklace inspired by Venice: the Song of the Gondoliers
Venice ’s beautiful canals and picturesque gondolas are captured in the stunning necklace below, Le Chant des Gondoliers. This luxe choker features 16 articulated turquoise pendants topped with diamond-paved arches, a nod to the bridges of Venice. Deep blue sapphires add contrast.
Le Grand Tour jewelry inspired by Florence
Florence , cradle of the Renaissance… The Van Cleef & Arpels jewels on this leg of the Grand Tour feature particularly vibrant stones that also evoke passion and desire. Van Cleef & Arpels pays homage to the local artisan tradition. But also to the Florentine painter Sandro Botticelli and his famous 1485 masterpiece, The Birth of Venus . The Ode to Love ring features an oval-cut pink sapphire as its central stone in a pink gold shell. The spiraling gemstones and the metalwork of the ring evoke Botticelli’s masterpiece. The Villanova necklace, inspired by Etruscan jewelry, also pays homage to this leg.
Rome, a constant source of inspiration for Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry
The artisans at Van Cleef & Arpels have continually drawn inspiration from the architectural and historical wonders of the Eternal City. The Van Cleef and Arpels Piazza Divina necklace is inspired by the geometric layout of St. Peter's Square. A tribute to Roman antiquity, the Anfora brooch reveals a red jasper intaglio dating from the 2nd century AD. It sits at the heart of a composition inspired by the ancient art of goldsmithing. Lapis lazuli, diamonds and an oval spessartite garnet give warmth to the whole, as if the Van Cleef brooch were permanently bathed in the rays of the sun.
