Perfect splendour
A jewellery house draws inspiration from its archives, and the result was a breathtaking collection.
TAKING inspiration from its own rich heritage, Van Cleef & Arpels unveiled a new collection which features a rounded, graphic design entitled “Bouton d’or”.
It features pieces with diamonds, gold, mother- of- pearl and gemstones in boldly minimalist creations.
From the choice of materials to the intricately assembled motifs, each piece reflects the expertise and artistic expression of the jewellery house.
A play of lines and colours pieced together in a happy combination, the Bouton d’or collection gives pride of place to the curved lines of a jewellery motif called “Paillette”, created by the Maison in the late 1930s.
Reinterpreted today, it lends itself in volume and colours, producing a style that is both graphic and feminine.
Adorned with a diamond at the center of each disc, these concave and convex elements are continously layered to compose a unique collection.
This consists of a necklace that hugs the neckline, a subtly asymmetric bracelet and piece earrings that seem to dance with every movement. There is also a three- dimensional ring and a pendant.
Available in two sets of five pieces, each piece is a work of art.
The first set consists of a pink gold base that gently reflects light magnifying the delicate overtones of the mother- of- pearl and the warm hue of carnelian used.
With its glittering centres, the motifs spread out across different levels, in triple rows of joyful circles.
In a more contrasted pairing, the second set is in yellow gold which accentuates the encounter between the rich, deep black color of onyx and chrysoprase, where spring- like green suffuses the creations with a luminous vitality.
Fringed with discreetly mobile discs, two pieces combine rounded curves with the geometric purity of the lozenge, to adorn a finger or give shape to a pendant that can be transformed into a clip.
To ensure the complete harmony of each piece, the pastilles that compose it are carefully matched for colour, as well as for the opacity and overtones of their materials.
Creating the Bouton d’or collection called for an exceptional degree of precision, meticulousness and technical skill.
Once the various gold pieces were shaped by hand, they undergo successive polishing – a particularly delicate process for the little discs.
The glitter of the precious metal must be revealed, while carefully preserving the form of the motif.
To ensure the suppleness and flexibility of each piece, these motifs are carefully attached together, a process that calls for a precise and agile hand, since hundreds of components – up to one thousand in the case of a necklace – must be joined together.
The end result is then carefully examined to guarantee that it meets the Maison’s stringent criteria for quality and finish.
the Van Cleef & Arpels boutique is located at Starhill Gallery, Kuala Lumpur.