.jpg?w=1)
Since the founding of Van Cleef & Arpels at the end of the 19th century, their designers and jewellers have been continuously searching for aesthetics and techniques to exceed the brilliance of precious stones. This ambition lead Van Cleef & Arpels to obtain in 1934, an exclusive patent for their technique called Sertie Invisible or 'invisible setting'.
Invisibly-set jewellery results in a cluster or paving without visible claws or signs of setting. Rubies and sapphires that are perfectly matched in colour were used most often and at later stages, the workshops experimented with diamonds. A gold or platinum frame perfectly holds in place each uniquely cut stone which slides into the setting due to the special grooves allowing them to take the form of the jewel.
Invisibly-set jewellery, a term used exclusively for jewels by Van Cleef & Arpels are highly sought after pieces by collectors and the following 5 lots are fine and rare examples of this exceptional craftsmanship.
See Silvie Raulet Van Cleef & Arpels, Edition du Regard, 1986
THE PROPERTY OF A LADY
AN INVISIBLY-SET SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND BRACELET, BY VAN CLEEF & ARPELS
Details
AN INVISIBLY-SET SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND BRACELET, BY VAN CLEEF & ARPELS
The undulating 'bridge' sapphire panels to the baguette and brilliant-cut diamond spacers and edges, mounted in platinum, 16.0 cm long
Signed Van Cleef & Arpels, no. N.Y. 13881
The undulating 'bridge' sapphire panels to the baguette and brilliant-cut diamond spacers and edges, mounted in platinum, 16.0 cm long
Signed Van Cleef & Arpels, no. N.Y. 13881