The graceful fairies of Van Cleef & Arpels
The Maison created its first fairies and ballerinas in the early 1940s, thus marking the beginning of an iconic tradition at Van Cleef & Arpels. These feminine figures include the 1941 Spirit of Beauty clip, once owned by the American socialite Barbara Hutton, depicting a slender fairy in flight with a magic wand in her hand.
Drawing featuring a Fairy clip, circa 1945, Van Cleef & Arpels Archives
Small winged fairy clip, 1941, Platinum, rubies, emeralds, diamonds, In the former collection of countess Haugwitz-Reventlow, better known as Barbara Hutton, Van Cleef & Arpels Collection
Embodiments of the Maison’s enchanting universe, fairies quickly became a signature of Van Cleef & Arpels. Distinctive for their rose-cut diamond faces and their winged contours – sometimes enhanced by a magic wand – these delicate sprites encapsulate the beauty of dreams through their graceful bearing. Suspended in mid-flight, elegantly contemplative or resting against precious corollas and mischievously wielding their magic wand, these muses accompany Van Cleef & Arpels with their benevolent presence.
Fée dragée clip, White gold, yellow gold, colored sapphires, diamonds, Ballet Précieux™ collection
Adelie fairy clip, White gold, rose gold, colored sapphires, lapis lazuli, diamonds, Feminine figures collection
Folie des près fairy clip, White gold, mauve and pink sapphires, diamonds, Feminine figures collection
Reinterpreted over the decades, fairies have inspired High Jewelry and Watch creations, where they appear set with precious stones, adorned with enamel or embellished with miniature painted motifs. Spreading their diaphanous wings on watch dials, they seem to magically suspend time.
View of the Lady Arpels Féerie watch
