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H.I.H. Princess Soraya wearing the Van Cleef & Arpels’ Eventail earrings, 1951 Dubbed the "Rose of Ispahan", the "Green-eyed Diva", or the "Persian Ava Gardner", Soraya Esfandiari Bakhtiari was a princess of exceptional beauty. She was one of the most coveted and photographed women of the 1950s.
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Ivy Leaves secret watch, 1950, Private Collection In 1950, when she was engaged to the Shah of Iran, Her Imperial Highness Princess Soraya purchased this bracelet decorated with ivy leaves in platinum and diamonds at Van Cleef & Arpels, Place Vendôme. The large main leaf hides a watch with a round case and mechanical movement.
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Eventail earrings owned by Her Imperial Highness Soraya of Iran, 1950, Van Cleef & Arpels' Collection / Eventail earrings retail card, 1950, Van Cleef & Arpels' Archives As a loyal customer of the Maison, Her Imperial Highness Soraya of Iran owned many Van Cleef & Arpels creations. She loved to wear these Eventail earrings in platinum and diamonds…
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Mimosa earrings and double clips, 1948, Van Cleef & Arpels' Collection / Mimosa earrings drawing, 1948, Van Cleef & Arpels' Archives … or these Mimosa earrings and matching double clips composed of bubbles of yellow gold and diamonds.
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Lovebirds clip in the former collection of Her Imperial Highness Soraya of Iran, 1954, Van Cleef & Arpels' Collection Though originally planned for 1950, the wedding between the Shah of Iran and Her Imperial Highness Princess Soraya actually took place in 1951 after the Princess fell ill. Each morning during her convalescence, Reza Palhavi would bring her a jewel, like this multi-colored brooch adorned with three cabochon rubies and diamonds, depicting birds perched on a yellow gold branch with a sapphire flower.