Van Cleef & Arpels bee brooch - c. 1950
Van Cleef & Arpels bee brooch - c. 1950
Couldn't load pickup availability
✓ Authentication by watchmaker
✓ Free & insured shipping
✓ 14-day returns
✓ 1-year warranty
Contact us to buy via bank wire.
Our take
Our take
English version available. Please switch to English in the menu or at the bottom of this page.
“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”.
Dimensions
Dimensions
Material
Material
18 carat yellow gold - 14 diamonds on the wings and 2 diamonds for the eyes - emerald cabochon - ruby cabochon
Usage instructions
Usage instructions
Authentication
Authentication
Every piece undergoes a two-step expert review before joining our selection.
Françoise and her team, collectors and horology enthusiasts for many years, examine it first.
Our partner watchmakers, with whom we work closely, then carry out the technical authentication.
Condition
Condition
Our photographs are true to life: taken in-house with a macro lens, they capture every detail of a piece with precision — including marks or scratches that may be less visible to the naked eye.
We never retouch a watch's condition; only the brightness of the photograph may be adjusted.
Serial numbers are removed from photographs to protect the authenticity of each piece.
Shipping
Shipping
Worldwide shipping and insurance are offered for each item upon receipt of payment.
Any customs duties and local taxes, which vary depending on the country of destination, remain your responsibility.
In Paris, hand-delivery is possible by appointment, once funds have been received.
Return and refund policy
Return and refund policy
Despite photos and descriptions that we hope are as accurate as possible, we know that the relationship with a piece of jewelry, a watch, is above all physical.
That's why we offer a 14-day return period, no questions asked, with a refund within 5 days of receiving the watch.
However, the watch must be in an aesthetic and mechanical condition similar to when it was sent.
A question?
A question?
Contact us or consult our Your questions, our answers page. A private appointment in Paris is also possible, upon request.
