Van Cleef & Arpels (French, est. 1906), Necklace, 1970s, gold

Audio Description

This necklace was manufactured in the 1970s by French jewelry house Van Cleef & Arpels, which was established in 1906.

Made of polished gold, this necklace has an ovoid shape with multiple links. The pendant dangles from the necklace and is an arrowhead made of hollow gold tubing pointing upwards. The arrowhead is surrounded by teardrop shaped tubing.

Label Copy

This necklace was manufactured in the 1970s by French jewelry house Van Cleef & Arpels, which was established in 1906.

Jeweler to celebrities, royalty, and the elite, Van Cleef & Arpels has been a mainstay of classic jewelry since the early twentieth century. Founded by Alfred Van Cleef and his brother-in-law Charles Arpels, the flagship store is located in the Place Vendôme in Paris with satellite boutiques worldwide. The company has remained in family hands since its establishment.

This necklace exemplifies the sleek, modern look of the 1970s. Made of smooth gold, it has a high polish, a design devoid of any gems, and an almost mechanical form. Despite their reputation for creating traditional jewels, Van Cleef & Arpels was at the vanguard of experimenting with new materials, various textures, and trendy styles. They were the first to launch a boutique featuring lower priced jewelry to lure a younger, more adventurous clientele to their doors. La Boutique opened in 1954 alongside their high-end store.

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