Cerfs-Volants: the Excellency and Splendour in Van Cleef & Arpels’ Jewellery

Van Cleef & Arpels new jewellery collection all revolves around magic flying kites. Faithful interpreter of lightness and movement, Van Cleef & Arpels celebrates the kite as the epitome of light movement in the sky. Considered a guardian in the Asian culture, the kite confers its joyful dynamism to a new jewellery and high jewellery collection: Cerfs-Volants ™. Delicate and full of refinement, the kite is a key inspiration source for Van Cleef & Arpels, which has explored themes such as feathers, birds and butterflies since its very beginning. This graphic motif, which already graced the watch collection Cadrans Extraordinaires ™ Cerfs-Volants, is enhanced today by eight jewellery creations and by seven unique high jewellery masterpieces. These latter virtuously illustrate the Maison’s typical style, centered on the artistic transposition of the notions of movement and flexibility into tangible chefs-d’oeuvre. Thanks to its inimitable savoir-faire, Van Cleef & Arpels is able to give to its eight jewellery creations a unique character: a necklace, a bracelet, a brooch, two rings and three pair of earrings. The epitome of the jeweller’s artisanship sublimating a poetic aesthetic, full of life and audacity. The Kite, in Van Cleef & Arpels’ interpretation, truly represents the aesthetic of lightness and gives birth to the Entre les Doigts ™ ring: while describing elegant volutes, the kite’s ribbons unfold across the hand, with its mobile pendants following the fingers’ gestures, in what comes to be a very lively jewel.

Cerfs-Volants 1 motif Between the Finger RIng.

Cerfs-Volants 1 motif Between the Finger RIng.

Cerfs-Volants 1 motif Between the Finger RIng.

In order to render the movement of the flying kite in the best possible way, the Entre les Doigts ring has been worked in high relief: its multiple elements placed at different levels symbolize the kite flying in the wind and its unfurling ribbons. The meticulous marquetry work, realized with mother-of-pearl of different shades, creates such an effect of contrasts as to give this jewel a vitality on its own. The body of the ring, the interpretation of a ribbon fluttering in the wind, allows the two parts of the motif to capture the light and always exalt their brilliance. A pair of asymmetric earrings create a surprise, by uniting two different representations of the kite: the first one in white and gray mother-of-pearl, the second set with diamonds and precious coloured stones.

On the chatelaine brooch, the kite motif accompanies that of a cloud, thus giving the impression of flying amongst raindrops, represented by delicate mobile gems. A little chain set with diamonds links these two motifs, which may be positioned at one’s will, and may also be detached and worn separately thanks to a ingenious mechanism.

The bracelet of the Cerfs-Volants collection is composed of four moving little chains set with diamonds, and it illustrates the Maison’s savoir-faire at its fullest: a technical and creative confidence which enables the jewels to be worn flawlessly on every occasion.

With its clasp hidden behind a little and delicate cloud, the kite’s central motif is worked as to always finding its place on the upper part of the wrist. Van Cleef & Arpels selects the materials according to the most rigourous qualitative criteria, and these offer the collection elegant interplaying shades. The white and grey mother of pearl harmonize their reflections, pink and mauve sapphires orchestrate delicate shadings. Different techniques of setting and cut – brilliant, drop or square – used for every piece demonstrate the immense savoir-faire that the Maison puts in place to give life to these amazing creations. The back of every piece with the same excellent expertise. The back motif is perforated in each one of these eight jewels, in order to let the light go through them and enrich the kite’s ethereal and delicate frailty.

Cerfs-Volants 1 motif Between the Finger RIng.

Cerfs-Volants 1-motif between the finger ring. Pink gold and sapphires.

Cerfs-Volants 1 motif Between the Finger RIng.

Cerfs-Volants 1 motif Between the Finger RIng.

Cerfs-Volants large model earrrings. These asymmetric earrings in pink gold, pink and mauve sapphires, white gold, white and grey mother-of-pearl and diamonds are surprising, bringing together two distinct representations of a kite.

Cerfs-Volants necklace

Cerfs-Volants 2 motif Between Finger ring.

Cerfs-Volants bracelet, small model. Virtuoso jewelry techniques embellish a lively, bold and poetic aesthetic on this bracelet in pink gold, pink and mauve sapphires, white gold, white and grey mother-of-pearl and diamonds.

Cerfs-Volants clip. Pink gold and sapphires.

Cerfs-Volants small model earrings.

Cerfs-Volants hoop earrings. in pink gold, pink and mauve sapphires, white gold, white and grey mother-of-pearl and diamonds.

With the Cerfs-Volants Collection, Van Cleef & Arpels demonstrates once more its historical penchant for whimsical and transformable jewellery. The kite motif is interpreted by Van Cleef & Arpels also in seven high jewellery unique masterpieces. The three pieces presented here belong to a set composed of a necklace, a ring, a pair of earrings and a brooch, all centring around the emblematic Serti Mystérieux ™ technique. Patented in 1933, the Mystery Setting puts the whole emphasis on the stone, without revealing its metal setting.

While building the kite’s body, diamonds and rubies intertwine to create a pavé with different designs. The kite’s tail, outlined by diamonds in different cuts – brilliant, drop, navette and baguette cuts – is completely articulated, thanks to a very detailed linking work, for the most fluid of movements.

More stunning unique pieces will be unveiled next March 24^th, when the Maison will officially open its new flagship boutique in the prestigious Via Montenapoleone, in Milan.

See you soon then, and let your dreams flying high. CC

Post by Claudia Carletti, Jewellery Through Time. Material courtesy of Van Cleef & Arpels Press Office.