Paint Worlds with Stone: Howard Carter was astounded by what he saw in the dim light of the tomb as the delicate details of Tutankhamun’s tomb gradually came into view. Carter described a setting studded with treasures—golden trinkets, statues, and magical creatures—in language that caught the essence of discovery. Diamond bracelets made by Van Cleef & Arpels were inspired by this breathtaking event, which he had no idea would inspire a new kind of treasure decades later.
Paint Worlds with Stone
In 1922, when Carter made his groundbreaking find, Van Cleef & Arpels capitalised on the craze for all things Egyptian by creating bracelets that could hold stories from antiquity. Each jewel on these bracelets was a hieroglyph set against a background of diamonds and colorful gemstones; the designs included pharaohs, sphinxes, scarabs, and phoenixes.
An expert at Christie’s, Claibourne Poindexter, says that no collector should be without a Van Cleef narrative bracelet from the 1920s. These Art Deco Egyptian Revival sculptures combine historical importance with superb craftsmanship, giving them everlasting appeal.
The Egyptian Revival era of the 1920s is the ancestor of Van Cleef & Arpels’ narrative bracelet heritage. Because of their uniqueness and scarcity, these bracelets—which feature elaborate narrative designs—have risen to the status of collector’s items, selling for over a million dollars.
In this interview, Nicolas Bos, creative director and chief executive officer of Van Cleef & Arpels, discusses the house’s guiding principles, which are innovation and curiosity. He describes how, drawing inspiration from ancient Egypt in particular, their narrative bracelets progressed from abstract patterns to depictions of figures and settings. This custom eventually spread to honor a wide range of cultural and geographical sites, from the beaches of California to the ancient sites of Europe.
The Grand Tour served as inspiration for Van Cleef & Arpels’ most recent high jewelry line, which reimagines the narrative bracelet. By enshrining famous scenes in diamonds, these works honor the practice of European travel from the 17th to the 19th centuries. The artists at Van Cleef capture the spirit of watercolor paintings in jeweled form, painstakingly bringing to life scenes from the Bay of Naples to Venice’s Grand Canal.
By praising their technical genius and subtle beauty, Bos conveys his affection for these works of art. Every item showcases the unwavering commitment of Van Cleef & Arpels to conveying stories through jewels, turning imagination and history into exquisite pieces of wearable art.
