Fortune Favours The Bold

A delightful accoutrement or an empowering talisman, a lucky animal clip is not just a conversation starter but a companion for life. Such creations are the domain of Van Cleef & Arpels, says Yanni Tan, who reports on the maison’s poetic expression of the creatures we love most.

-  Yanni Tan

Admirers of Van Cleef & Arpels would certainly know that the French maison has the Midas touch when interpreting beautiful things into precious jewels. Be it a twirling gold ballerina wearing a diamond for her face, mystery-set gemstone flowers or a diamond-encrusted feather that looks like it floats in the wind, there is an exquisite joie de vivre to them all.

While Van Cleef & Arpels is a master in awe-inspiring expressions of flora and fauna, it also has a great affinity for the zodiac theme. In 2017, it launched its Lucky Animals collection, which is based on our favourite creatures from lore and legend. Exclusively available to order, the range combines the two main sources of historical inspiration for the house into one unique showcase of imagination and savoir faire.

HERALDING HERITAGE

For a maison as historic as Van Cleef & Arpels, surely all creatures great and small have made a debut in its archives. However, one characteristic the brand has imparted to its animals is a sense of humour. To enrich its repertoire with more accessible daywear jewellery, it created the La Boutique range in 1954 featuring wildlife as playful and light-hearted clips – collectively known as “young jewels”.