VAN CLEEF & ARPELS, Années 1940 - Lot 76

VAN CLEEF & ARPELS, Années 1940 Bird of paradise in flight" lapel clip brooch in yellow gold 750 thousandths and platinum 950 thousandths, its feathers highlighted with old-cut and 8/8-cut diamonds and calibrated sapphires, its eyes set with cabochon sapphires. Pins in 750 thousandths white gold. Signed "VAN CLEEF & ARPELS", numbered "55.910". French work, diamond hallmark of Atelier MURIA. Dimensions: 7.5x4.4cm. P. Gross weight: 35.3 g. With MURIA case. The bird theme is dear to Van Cleef & Arpels. At the 2019 "Paradis d'oiseaux" exhibition at the Ecole des Arts Joailliers in Paris, several Van Cleef & Arpels brooches depicting birds were on display, including a remarkable "Oiseau de Paradis" in gold, platinum, rubies and calibrated sapphires, contemporary with our brooch. The impressive, sculptural volumes of these two brooches - which are virtually identical - reflect the inventiveness of Van Cleef & Arpels in the 1940s. Bibliography: GLORIEUX, Guillaume (dir.) Catalogue de l'Exposition " Paradis d'Oiseaux ", L'Ecole des Arts Joailliers, 2019.