1930s
Van Cleef & Arpels asserted its unique style thanks to the creative duo of Renée Puissant and René Sim-Lacaze. Several of the Maison’s iconic creations came into being, including the Cadenas® watch, the Minaudière™, the Passe-Partout and the Mystery Set™.
1933
Creation of the Minaudière
This perfected beauty compact was designed with compartments to hold the various accessories indispensable for a woman of the world.
Van Cleef & Arpels advertisement named La Minaudière, circa 1933
Van Cleef & Arpels Archives
Minaudière product card, 1934
Van Cleef & Arpels Archives
Van Cleef & Arpels catalogue featuring La Minaudière, circa 1933
Van Cleef & Arpels Archives
Minaudière, 1938 Yellow gold, lacquer
Van Cleef & Arpels Collection
1933
Patenting of the Mystery Set technique
A veritable exploit, the Mystery Set technique consists of setting precious stones in such a way that the metal becomes invisible.
Bracelet design, circa 1935
Van Cleef & Arpels Archives
Minaudière, 1938 Yellow gold, Mystery Set rubies, Mystery Set sapphires, diamonds
Former collection of Her Majesty Queen Nazli of Egypt Van Cleef & Arpels Collection
Bracelet, 1936 Platinum, yellow gold, Mystery Set rubies, diamonds
Van Cleef & Arpels Collection
Candy box workshop card, 1934
Van Cleef & Arpels Archives
1934
Creation of the Ludo bracelet
In 1934, the Maison created its first brick-link mesh Ludo bracelet, featuring a clasp evoking a belt buckle. The hexagon mesh Ludo model came into being the following year.
Ludo bracelet design, circa 1936
Van Cleef & Arpels Archives
Ludo bracelet, 1934
Yellow gold, sapphire, diamonds
Van Cleef & Arpels Collection
1935
Creation of the Cadenas® watch
The Maison designed a wristwatch with a dual snake chain bracelet, its curved clasp reminiscent of a padlock. The angled dial offers a discreet way to read the time.
Cadenas wristwatch product card, 1939
Van Cleef & Arpels Archives
Cadenas wristwatch design, circa 1936
Van Cleef & Arpels Archives
Cadenas wristwatch product card, 1935
Van Cleef & Arpels Archives
Cadenas wristwatch, 1939 Yellow gold, rubies
Van Cleef & Arpels Collection
1936
Special orders placed by Edward VIII
Edward VIII ordered three exceptional pieces from Van Cleef & Arpels: a Cravate necklace and a ruby and diamond bracelet, as well as a Houx clip made of Mystery Set rubies.
Bracelet product card, 1936
Van Cleef & Arpels Archives
Leaf clip design, circa 1930
Van Cleef & Arpels Archives
1937
Creation of the Peony double clip
The double Peony clip, which once belonged to Princess Faiza of Egypt, is made up of two separable clips, one depicting a peony in full bloom, while the other is just blossoming. The latter is currently part of the Van Cleef & Arpels Collection.
Peony double clip design, circa 1937
Van Cleef & Arpels Archives
Peony clip, 1937
Platinum, yellow gold, Mystery Set rubies, diamonds
Former collection of Her Royal Highness Princess Faiza of Egypt
Van Cleef & Arpels Collection
1938
Creation of the Passe-Partout
In the tradition of transformable pieces, the Passe-Partout, patented in 1938, is composed of a snake chain embellished with detachable flower clips. It can be worn as a necklace, choker, long necklace, bracelet or belt.
Passe-Partout jewelry, 1939
Transformable into a necklace, bracelet or a belt with detachable clips
Yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, rubies, yellow sapphires, sapphires, diamonds
Van Cleef & Arpels Collection
Passe-Partout jewelry, 1939
Transformable into a necklace, bracelet or a belt with detachable clips
Yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, rubies, yellow sapphires, sapphires, diamonds
Van Cleef & Arpels Collection
1939
Exceptional jewelry ensembles for the wedding of Princess Fawzia of Egypt
On the occasion of the marriage of Princess Fawzia of Egypt with Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, the future Shah of Iran, Van Cleef & Arpels created jewelry to be worn by the bride and by her mother, Queen Nazli of Egypt.
Diadem created for the Egyptian Princess Fawzia, 1939
Van Cleef & Arpels Archives
Design of a collaret for Her Royal Highness Princess Fawzia of Egypt, circa 1930
Van Cleef & Arpels Archives
Product card of a collaret for Her Royal Highness Princess Fawzia of Egypt, 1938
Van Cleef & Arpels Archives