''L’Arche de Noé racontée par Van Cleef & Arpels'' is the newest jewelry collection by Van Cleef & Arpels, created by a very surprising designer: Robert Wilson!
Robert Wilson is not a jewelry designer, as one might expect, but a stage director, loved and praised for his work. His speciality: use of light, the structure of simple movement. And known also for his classic rigor of his scenic and furniture design.
Obviously, the inspiration came from the famous story, a founding story: the Arch of Noah. “The concept of staging sixty or so animal pairs in connection with Noah’s Ark originates from a painting by Jan Brueghel the Elder exhibited at the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles. I will never forget the shock I felt as I stood gazing at the painting The Entry of the Animals into Noah’s Ark'' explains Nicolas Bos, CEO of Van Cleef & Arpels.
Exhibition Van Cleef & Arpels
To endulge into the full experience of how Robert Wilson envisioned his collection, you can visit the exhibition in Hôtel d’Évreux, 19, place Vendôme 75001 Paris. Admission is free and the exhibition will be open until the 26th of September 2016 ( 12.00-20.00 opening times)
Animal jewelry
Van Cleef & Arpels have added a range to their already impressive history of animal jewelry. From the early days to the the animals from ‘‘La Boutique’’, created by the Maison in 1954.
See also: Van Cleef & Arpels are searching for a puppy!
My first thoughts when I looked at the collection were those of feeling delighted. If you read Bizzita more often, you know I have a huge love and preference for the animal theme in jewelry. I adore the whimsical creatures, I have a huge love for great stories and children's literature, for fairytales and the wild imagination that allows children (and grown ups) to dream of magical adventures. And I am always still touched by how different every designer approaches the animal jewelry theme. Some of the designs of this collection by Van Cleef & Arpels, have an almost naive look and feel about them. Others carry the richness in design that we find more in high end jewelry. What I appreciate most perhaps, is the choice for less obvious animals. Yes, the owls, parrots and Morpho butterflies are beautiful, but Robert Wilson also thought of Fennec foxes, the stag and doe clip, zebra's and raccoons. Most are presented as a pair as an obvious reference to the original story.
Some of the animals are pure fictional, yet as we cherish these mythical creatures in art and literature, little does one mind that they don't really belong perhaps in a Arche de Noé collection ;) The Unicorn is simply striking in its presence and colors. Van Cleef & Arpels used there famous Mystery Set™ in some of the pieces, creating a stunning effect of color, structure and lustre.
Don't miss: 10 fun facts about Van Cleef & Arpels that you did not know!
Which one is your favorite piece?
Comments (8)
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Linda Marsden
I am so humbled with my own insignificant creations. I would need another whole lifespan to be this good.
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Esther Ligthart
Hi Linda, what a kind and humble remark, but I truly believe that you can become the very best version of yourself and that this will reflect in your work too. To become the very best version of yourself is for many a journey that never ends and it might not always be easy to become it...I know I still try to become the best version of myself too! ;-))) I hope that you enjoy your creations and what you do! I am pretty sure that if that is the case, it will reflect in your work! I can't judge it as I haven't seen it, but I am envious of all people that can actually create something in jewelry! :_))) Go on Linda, be awesome!
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Jose Trillos
beautiful pieces;nice to see there are still some good jewelers left.
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Esther Ligthart
Hi Jose, thanks! I do get what you mean...but I think also that there are still a lot of great jewelry makers left. In the midst of the overwhelming amount of marketing brands, there are still a lot of brands and designers, goldsmiths and artisans, that carry the passion in their hearts and as long as there are still clients that appreciate that, they will always have a place in the world. :-)) I am glad you loved the jewelry in this blog! Have a lovely day...Esther
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sophi
I love all of them! But my favorite are the penguins!
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Esther Ligthart
Hi Sophi, thanks for your comment :-)) Ohh you have great taste...the Penguins are adorable!
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Sophi
:-)
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John Chacon
love your craftsmanship do you do your own lapidary work and settings you must
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