THE PROPERTY OF A LADY
DIAMOND AND YELLOW GOLD "ZIP" NECKLACE
Details
DIAMOND AND YELLOW GOLD "ZIP" NECKLACE
The 18K yellow gold zipper trimmed by openwork yellow gold heart motifs enhanced by circular-cut diamonds, with circular-cut diamond and yellow gold tag and tassel (the upper part of the necklace may be removed and the necklace may be "zipped" to form a bracelet)--16 in.
Signed by Van Cleef & Arpels, NY No. 65977
Some of the jewelry designs which were popular in the 1940's and 1950's were actually created before World War II. One of the most innovative designers of this period was Renée Puissant, Alfred Van Cleef's daughter and artistic director of Van Cleef & Arpels from 1926 to 1942. The inspiration for the zipper necklace came from the Duchess of Windsor who required a clasp, known as an éclair or zip fastener, to be worn with evening gowns. From this beginning came the present design created in 1951, of a zipper jewel with tassels of gold threads. The design was extremely popular in the 1950's and rarely appears in the sale rooms.
The necklace is illustrated in "Van Cleef & Arpels", by Sylvie Raulet, Editions du Regard, Paris, 1986, p. 235
For similar necklaces see
"Magnificent Jewels", Christie's NY, 4/20/88, Lot 159
"Magnificent Jewels", Christie's NY, 10/19/88, Lot 250
The 18K yellow gold zipper trimmed by openwork yellow gold heart motifs enhanced by circular-cut diamonds, with circular-cut diamond and yellow gold tag and tassel (the upper part of the necklace may be removed and the necklace may be "zipped" to form a bracelet)--16 in.
Signed by Van Cleef & Arpels, NY No. 65977
Some of the jewelry designs which were popular in the 1940's and 1950's were actually created before World War II. One of the most innovative designers of this period was Renée Puissant, Alfred Van Cleef's daughter and artistic director of Van Cleef & Arpels from 1926 to 1942. The inspiration for the zipper necklace came from the Duchess of Windsor who required a clasp, known as an éclair or zip fastener, to be worn with evening gowns. From this beginning came the present design created in 1951, of a zipper jewel with tassels of gold threads. The design was extremely popular in the 1950's and rarely appears in the sale rooms.
The necklace is illustrated in "Van Cleef & Arpels", by Sylvie Raulet, Editions du Regard, Paris, 1986, p. 235
For similar necklaces see
"Magnificent Jewels", Christie's NY, 4/20/88, Lot 159
"Magnificent Jewels", Christie's NY, 10/19/88, Lot 250