Van Cleef & Arpels Exhibition in ParisArchived Message
Posted by Alex G on February 10, 2013, 5:11 pm
Dear all,
I finally managed to go to the Van Cleef & Arpels exhibition at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris on what was its final day. The exhibition was a delight and full of some of the most extraordinary pieces in the history of the House.
A few thoughts on the Royal pieces :
- Princess Charlene of Monaco's tiara was exhibited and I was very much impressed with how much more elegant it is in real life than in photos or videos. The piece is quite large, and the quality of the stones is simply breathless. The sapphires have a very subtle effect and give fluidity to the round shapes, breaking the monotony of the successive circles. The tiara is also immensely glittering, and has a truly Royal feel to it. There was also a portrait photograph of the Princess wearing it as a tiara, which I had never seen before.
- a copy of HM the Shahbanou's coronation crown was on show - set with zirconiums and paste stones - and it is simply a show-stealer!!! The stones are enormous and the whole ensemble is an explosion of colour and Oriental splendour. I can only imagine what the original must look like, with the real diamonds and the gloss of genuine pearls!
Also on show, pieces belonging to the Maharani of Baroda, the Begum Aga Khan, the Duchess of Windsor... I could have spent an entire day there and was very disappointed to only get there one hour before closing time. But what an hour it was!
on February 10, 2013, 5:11 pm