Those of you interested in not only the glitz and glamour of luxury jewelry, but also the history behind it, are in for a treat. Van Cleef & Arpels, the renowned jewelry brand known for its extravagant exhibitions around the globe, opened a new show today at the Decorative Arts Museum in its hometown of Paris. With unique displays and a strategic presentation, this exhibit is unlike any of the others done by Van Cleef & Arpels annually.
“Van Cleef & Arpels — The Art of Fine Jewelry” is a dazzling show that features an impressive collection of the brand’s pieces displayed in chronological order by the year they were created. The exhibition opened today— just days after the historic jewelry brand unveiled its Good Luck Charms collection— and will run until February 10. Close to 500 jewels, watches and other precious objects— a third of which are previously unseen pieces that belong to private collectors— shine in the presentation, representing the evolution of fine jewelry in the 20th Century. Most pieces will be displayed under futuristic curved glass cases that sit under petal-shaped suspensions, with a select few in smaller side rooms shining in plexiglas tubes that give visitors a unique 360-degree view of the masterpieces.
Among the selection of exclusive creations, viewers will notice influenced pieces that represent time periods both symbolically and physically. A close look at the jewelry will reveal hints as to the circumstances of the decades they come from; for example, Post-World War II pieces see the re-emergence of yellow gold after years of reserving platinum for the building weapons.
Jewelry from the Twenties is clearly influenced by the discovery of King Tut’s tomb in 1922— the use of hieroglyphic details and colorful jewels reveal that. And of course, pieces from the ‘40s and ‘50s show remnants of the fashion and textiles that are iconic of those decades. Another exciting element to the exhibition is that it features jewelry that was once worn by such famous names as Elizabeth Taylor, Princess Charlene of Monaco, and Princess Grace of Monaco.