Lot Essay
It is interesting to note that the present two ruby and diamond jewels have remained in the owner's family since their creation and are numbered consecutively.
"Tutti-Frutti" jewellery by Van Cleef & Arpels is relatively scarce. Cartier's production, though also rare, was much more prolific. The fact that lots 534 and 535 are set with a single colour scheme, accented by diamonds contributes to their unusualness. The majority of the jewellery containing Indian carved stones having been multi-coloured.
Claude Arpels spent a great deal of time in India where he managed to purchase such legendary stones as the "Blue Princess" sapphire of 114 carats. Dealing with the Indians was not always the easiest of tasks. As one story goes, Arpels visited the Maharajah Sahib Bahadur de Rewa who wished to sell certain stones in his collection. Tradition did not permit the Maharajah to negotiate directly with potential buyers, so Arpels was obligated to bring along a British Colonel to assume the role. Initially, he was not permitted even to meet the Maharajah, but rather was entertained lavishly by the ruler's family. The day after his arrival, he finally met Bahadur who brought him into a room which boasted a splendid assortment of jewels and a captured tiger. After Arpels made his choice, he returned to his apartments only to be informed that the Maharajah could only give him a response after having consulted his astrologer! Perhaps the stones in the present suite were a result of similar negotiations....
"Tutti-Frutti" jewellery by Van Cleef & Arpels is relatively scarce. Cartier's production, though also rare, was much more prolific. The fact that lots 534 and 535 are set with a single colour scheme, accented by diamonds contributes to their unusualness. The majority of the jewellery containing Indian carved stones having been multi-coloured.
Claude Arpels spent a great deal of time in India where he managed to purchase such legendary stones as the "Blue Princess" sapphire of 114 carats. Dealing with the Indians was not always the easiest of tasks. As one story goes, Arpels visited the Maharajah Sahib Bahadur de Rewa who wished to sell certain stones in his collection. Tradition did not permit the Maharajah to negotiate directly with potential buyers, so Arpels was obligated to bring along a British Colonel to assume the role. Initially, he was not permitted even to meet the Maharajah, but rather was entertained lavishly by the ruler's family. The day after his arrival, he finally met Bahadur who brought him into a room which boasted a splendid assortment of jewels and a captured tiger. After Arpels made his choice, he returned to his apartments only to be informed that the Maharajah could only give him a response after having consulted his astrologer! Perhaps the stones in the present suite were a result of similar negotiations....