Details
AN ELEGANT DIAMOND NECKLACE, VAN CLEEF & ARPELS
The front designed as a line of rectangular-cut diamonds, bordered on each side by a line of circular and old European-cut diamonds, the two largest weighing approximately 1.46 and 1.43 cts., spaced by baguette-cut diamonds, joined to a diamond two-row back chain of similar design, mounted in platinum (center section may be worn as a bracelet) (with three later pendant hoops), circa 1950--14.7/8 ins. long
Signed by Van Cleef & Arpels, Paris, No. 4880 CS
Towards the end of the 1940s,the clean,sleek look of diamond jewelry set into flexible platinum wire mountings superseded the elaborate gold mountings. Gone were the large, elaborate confections studded with colored gemstones, to be replaced with sparkling diamonds cut into contrasting geometric shapes. The new style of necklaces complemented Dior's "New Look" in evening wear in which waist lines were nipped in and shoulders left bare, leaving ample space to drape a necklace. Van Cleef & Arpels excelled at designing jewelry for the new fashion, epitomized by this necklace.
The central part of this necklace, featuring a row of baguette diamonds flanked by circular-cut diamonds on either side, is ample in its creation. When separated from the other two pieces, it can be worn as a bracelet. The flexiblity afforded by the platinum wire mounting makes this necklace eminently wearable, lying elegantly around the neck while, to the touch, it feels like a piece of fabric.
A similar necklace, dated 1950, is illustrated in the catalogue "Van Cleef & Arpels", Paris Muses, 1992, page 139, illustration #51.
The front designed as a line of rectangular-cut diamonds, bordered on each side by a line of circular and old European-cut diamonds, the two largest weighing approximately 1.46 and 1.43 cts., spaced by baguette-cut diamonds, joined to a diamond two-row back chain of similar design, mounted in platinum (center section may be worn as a bracelet) (with three later pendant hoops), circa 1950--14.7/8 ins. long
Signed by Van Cleef & Arpels, Paris, No. 4880 CS
Towards the end of the 1940s,the clean,sleek look of diamond jewelry set into flexible platinum wire mountings superseded the elaborate gold mountings. Gone were the large, elaborate confections studded with colored gemstones, to be replaced with sparkling diamonds cut into contrasting geometric shapes. The new style of necklaces complemented Dior's "New Look" in evening wear in which waist lines were nipped in and shoulders left bare, leaving ample space to drape a necklace. Van Cleef & Arpels excelled at designing jewelry for the new fashion, epitomized by this necklace.
The central part of this necklace, featuring a row of baguette diamonds flanked by circular-cut diamonds on either side, is ample in its creation. When separated from the other two pieces, it can be worn as a bracelet. The flexiblity afforded by the platinum wire mounting makes this necklace eminently wearable, lying elegantly around the neck while, to the touch, it feels like a piece of fabric.
A similar necklace, dated 1950, is illustrated in the catalogue "Van Cleef & Arpels", Paris Muses, 1992, page 139, illustration #51.