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 design, circa 1925
Van Cleef & Arpels Archives
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
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
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
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
