Van Cleef & Arpels shone as of its foundation for the creation of precious objects that spark awe and enchantment. Inspired by the Maison’s rich heritage, the Bouton d'Or automaton honours the eponymous jewelry collection, reinterpreting the soft contours of a motif known as “paillette,” created by Van Cleef & Arpels in the mid-1930s.

Enchanted dance

True to its legacy in the field of precious objects, the automaton’s animation illustrates a scene of stunning vitality. A fairy, her face suggested by a rose-cut diamond, crowned with diamonds, and clad in a flamboyant rose-gold gown trimmed with blue lacquer, pirouettes in an enchanted dance upon a blooming flowerbed. She twirls thanks to the beating of her plique-à-jour enamel wings, delicately clasping a briolette-cut sapphire between her fingers. 

The fruit of extensive research, the Bouton d’Or automaton required an exceptional degree of precision and technical prowess. In addition to perfecting myriad gold components by hand, various polishing procedures were necessary. Craftsman bring out the gleam of the precious metal while carefully preserving the shape of the motif. 

Concave or convex, the paillettes proliferate to bring to life figurative creations such as a delicately bound gleaming gold bouquet. The pink tones of the thulite base complement the soft violet hues of the charoite bowl. A mix of tradition and modernity, this new creation displays a joyful harmony of materials.

684 caps or discs, lacquered using both airbrush and traditional techniques to intensify the brilliance of every color, were hand-assembled on wispy stems.