Van Cleef & Arpels bee brooch - c. 1950

“Bee” your precious choice

Description

Very beautiful and rare Van Cleef & Arpels brooch depicting a bee in 18 carat yellow gold. The head is composed of a ruby, the body of an emerald cabochon and the wings set with seven diamonds each.

The House of Van Cleef & Arpels has always made people dream with its poetic creations. This bee brooch is no exception. A historical piece from the 1950s, large size, easily found on period advertisements, often presented in a trio with two other small broaches. This one, of great finesse, is equipped with a very beautiful cabochon emerald.

Why did Françoise choose it?

Why abandon broaches? Françoise considers that the brooch should return to the forefront. For a very classic use, Françoise prefers a more original, diverted style. A brooch can be worn on the lapel of a jacket, of course, but why not pin it on a turtleneck, put it as a hair ornament, on the pleats of a garment, on the belt or even as a clasp on a zip? The uses are multiple and help to break the overly “old-fashioned” image that the brooch can have. Let your imagination be free!

History

The history of the House of Van Cleef & Arpels was born following the marriage of Estelle (Esther) Arpels, daughter of a precious stone merchant and Alfred Van Cleef, from a line of Belgian artisans and Dutch specialists in stone cutting. Charles, Louis and Julien Arpels, Estelle's brothers, quickly joined forces with their brother-in-law to give birth to Van Cleef & Arpels, a signature registered in 1906, the date on which the first boutique opened, at 22 Place Vendôme. The store still remains in the same location today.

The bestiary developed among jewelers, particularly from the 1950s. Clips are key pieces, particularly in the form of small animals: bees, dogs, turtles, ladybugs, birds, cats, rabbits, etc. In 1954, Van Cleef & Arpels also offered a series of new humorous animal clips, called “Bestiaries” and inspired by cartoons. Less expensive jewelry presented at 22 Place Vendôme, “La Boutique”.