Egyptian Pattern bracelet, 1924​ Platinum, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, onyx, diamonds​ Van Cleef & Arpels Collection
Inspirations

The Elsewhere, a reflection of the Maison's creative curiosity

From its founding in 1906, Van Cleef & Arpels turned its gaze towards other horizons to nourish its imagination. During the Art Deco period, jewelry, accessories, and watches reflected the Maison's fascination with faraway civilizations. Scenes from daily life, symbols, and traditional objects were reinterpreted by the Maison over the decades. Among these influences, ancient Egypt holds a special place. Now part of the patrimonial Collection, a sautoir, a bracelet, and an brooch named Egyptian Motifs and created between 1923 and 1925 feature stylized figures rendered in colored stones. Drawing on the rich iconography of this ancient culture, Van Cleef & Arpels subsequently reinterpreted floral and animal motifs such as the lotus and the scarab.

Egyptian Pattern brooch, 1924. Platinum, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, onyx, diamonds. Van Cleef & Arpels Collection.

Egyptian Pattern brooch, 1924

Platinum, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, onyx, diamonds

Van Cleef & Arpels Collection

Egyptian Pattern brooch design, circa 1925. Van Cleef & Arpels Archives

Egyptian Pattern brooch design, circa 1925

Van Cleef & Arpels Archives

Egyptian Pattern brooch, 1925. Platinum, emeralds, rubies, onyx, diamonds. Van Cleef & Arpels Collection.

Egyptian Pattern brooch, 1925

Platinum, emeralds, rubies, onyx, diamonds

Van Cleef & Arpels Collection

China and Japan also exerted an influence on the Maison from the 1920s onwards. Landscapes, gardens, and dragons thus adorned bracelets, vanity cases, and precious boxes embellished with stones, enamel, or lacquer.

Japanese-inspired vanity case, 1924

Yellow gold, platinum, jade, enamel, diamonds

Van Cleef & Arpels Collection

From the 1950s to the 1970s, the Arpels brothers traveled the world, from the Mediterranean basin to India, Thailand, and Cambodia. These journeys inspired new motifs, shimmering colors, and material combinations. Examples include a Balinese Dancer clip from 1950, featuring a gold and pearl sari, and a Persian Tiger clip created in 1970.

Balinese Dancer clip, 1950​. Yellow gold, white gold, rubies, cultured pearls, diamonds​. Van Cleef & Arpels Collection.

Balinese Dancer clip, 1950​

Yellow gold, white gold, rubies, cultured pearls, diamonds​

Van Cleef & Arpels Collection

Indian Embroidery necklace, 1950​. Yellow gold, platinum, emeralds, rubies, diamonds​. Van Cleef & Arpels Collection.

Indian Embroidery necklace, 1950​

Yellow gold, platinum, emeralds, rubies, diamonds​

Van Cleef & Arpels Collection

Persian Tiger brooch, 1970​. Yellow gold, chrysoprase, brown enamel, diamonds​. Van Cleef & Arpels Collection.

Persian Tiger brooch, 1970​

Yellow gold, chrysoprase, brown enamel, diamonds​

Van Cleef & Arpels Collection

Eagle clip, 1972-1974​. Yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, ruby, malachite, onyx, coral, white mother-of-pearl, diamonds​. Van Cleef & Arpels Collection.

Eagle clip, 1972-1974​

Yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, ruby, malachite, onyx, coral, white mother-of-pearl, diamonds​

Van Cleef & Arpels Collection

Greek-inspired bangle bracelet, 1973​. Yellow gold​. Van Cleef & Arpels Collection​.

Greek-inspired bangle bracelet, 1973​

Yellow gold​

Van Cleef & Arpels Collection​

This creative curiosity continues to express itself today, as illustrated by the High Jewelry thematic collections Seven Seas (2015), Le Grand Tour raconté par Van Cleef & Arpels (2023), and Fascinating Egypt (2026). Combining rare stones with virtuoso savoir-faire, these creations compose an ode to discovery and evoke a sense of escapism.

Fascinating Egypt High Jewelry thematic collection

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Zip necklace, 1954​. Transformable into a bracelet​. Yellow gold, platinum, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, diamonds​. Van Cleef & Arpels Collection.
Inspirations

Couture inspiration: inventiveness in the service of elegance