Now put three marbles in your mouth and say that seven times while
drinking a glass of water and juggling three bejeweled ensembles.
Which brings us quite logically to 1924 Paris and the house of Van
Cleef & Arpels.
I digress. In the early 1920’s Carter and Carnevon made great
archaeological discovers… not the least of which was the tomb of
Tutankhamen. This … as I’m sure you all know… inspired the
jewelers of the day to create pieces whose motifs were gleaned from
an Egyptian archaeological past.
The array was dizzying. Bracelets and vanity cases and watches and
pins decorated with such icons as Ibis and Lotus and Horus and
Sphinxes and Scarabs and more. These were set with calibre-cut
gemstones such as onyx and rubies and sapphires all placed within a
pave set diamond background. Great workmanship. And here I thought I
was the only good setter around. The results: Well… I’ll show you
one and you tell me what you think.
In the lead of those jewelers who decided to prance headlong into the
glimmering bejeweled archaeological rush was that moderately well
reputed little old firm of Van Cleef & Arpels. The year: 1923. They
began producing Egyptian inspired artifact after artifact. I digress
in my digression. Many read my tidbits… and many are jewelers
themselves. By a show of hands … how many of you have actually
smiled at a customer over the counter and said: May I show you one of
my artifacts?..without getting a lascivious grin in return of course.
Van Cleef & Arpels met with great success. Their striking
juxtaposition of colors and exceptional workmanship put them in the
forefront of the most sought after creations of Art Deco Jewelry.
Fortunately… I have an example of such a piece. Ya wanna see?
For those of you who are new to this thing called Tidbits…may I
direct you to my home page at www.tyler-adam.com where you will
scroll down the left side menu till you get to the area that says
Current Tidbits… and you will get to see this an Art Deco Egyptian
Revival Brooch with a yellow sapphire center. Signed Van Cleef &
Arpels Paris.
And there ya have it.
That’s it for this week folks.
Catch you all next week.
Benjamin Mark