A Piece Of History

The Van Cleef & Arpels Heritage Collection chronicles the jeweller’s emblematic styles through the ages, its International Retail Director Nicolas Luchsinger shares.

- Zara Zhuang

ANTIQUE JEWELLERY IS a confluence of savoir faire, tradition and, sometimes, illustrious provenance. Interest in these attributes has resulted in their booming popularity — besides auctions at Sotheby’s, Christie’s and Bonhams, such historic pieces also perform admirably at art and antique fairs such as Masterpiece London and TEFAF Maastricht.

Vintage jewels have doubled in value over the past decade, according to Bonhams, whose Hong Kong branch last November sold a rare 1920s sapphire, onyx and diamond ring by Van Cleef & Arpels for HK$300,000, more than twice its pre-sale estimate. Standing at the forefront of this trend, in particular, is Van Cleef & Arpels. Ten years ago, after observing a soaring demand for its vintage pieces, it created the Heritage Collection.

Comprising vintage or previously owned pieces that date from the 1920s to the mid1980s, the range has been performing well compared to other regular collections by Van Cleef & Arpels, reveals Nicolas Luchsinger, its international retail director and heritage director, during an interview with Prestige.