Van Cleef et Arpels French Jeweller

Van Cleef & Arpels opens first store in Montreal.
Van Cleef & Arpels opens first store in Montreal.

Van Cleef et Arpels is a French Jeweller located in Paris.

History

Brothers Julien, Louis, and Charles Arpels and brother-in-law Alfred Van Cleef transformed a small store on place Vendôme, Paris in 1904 or 1906 into Van Cleef et Arpels. 

A branch was opened cl924 in Cannes, followed by Deauville, Monte Carlo, and, in 1938, New York. 

serti mystérieux or serti invisible jewellery setting technique
Serti mystérieux or serti invisible jewellery setting technique

In 1930, Louis Arpels created for Florence J. Gould the· first minaudière, a kind of small hard metal purse in gold, studded with gems and carried on formal evening occasions. Characterized by innovative techniques the firm introduced in 1935 the serti mystérieux or serti invisible: stones are cut with a trough, allowing them to be slid onto a hidden track, eliminating prong mounting and creating an unobstructed pavé effect. A member of the Comité Colbert, the firm is managed today by Jacques Arpels. 

Exhibition

Work shown at 1925 Paris ‘Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes.’ 

Sources

Byars, M., & Riley, T. (2004). The design encyclopedia. Laurence King Publishing.

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