VAN CLEEF & ARPELS, 1950s - Lot 137

VAN CLEEF & ARPELS, 1950s "Bee" brooch in 750‰ yellow gold and 950‰ platinum, the insect's body adorned with a cushion-cut sapphire, its head pricked with a cabochon ruby, its eyes and wings set with 8/8-cut diamonds. 750‰ yellow gold pins. Signed "VAN CLEEF & ARPELS" and numbered "74749". French work, diamond hallmark of Atelier PÉRY & Fils. Cyphered "C.G.G.". Sapphire weight: approx. 1 carat. Dimensions: 1.8x1.5cm. P. Gross weight: 2.7g. (Slight chips). Animal clips were already very fashionable at Van Cleef & Arpels in the 1940s-1950s. Worn alone, in duets or trios, they could be attached to a dress, jacket, coat or hat. They could also be attached to another piece of jewelry. Similar examples of Abeilles, dated 1947 and intended to embellish the "Alvéoles" bracelet, are shown in Sylvie Raulet's book, "Van Cleef & Arpels", p. 227 (Editions du Regard, Paris, 1986). They were then clipped onto the bracelet, stylizing bees in their hive.