Alhambra from Van Cleef & Arpels – not just for pop superstars and royalty

To be lucky, you must believe in luck.

Jacques Arpels

Fellows Antique & Modern Auction taking place on 14^th July will feature a necklace from one of the leading jewellery houses in the world. Van Cleef & Arpels was founded in 1896. Van Cleef gained popularity as a fine jeweller in the 1930s, when their revolutionary ‘mystery set’ jewels, gem set pieces without claws, were introduced. Ever since then the brand has been synonymous with fine jewellery and innovation.

Lot 365 is an ‘Alhambra’ necklace, set with a series of quatrefoil-shape white and grey mother of pearl, and delicately banded chalcedony. The necklace is 128.5cms long and so is perfect for wearing long or wrapping into multiple layers for a shorter look. The delicate hue of the colours, the timeless design and the customizable length make this the perfect wearable piece, and this notable example is offered at £12,000-18,000.

Created in 1968, the Alhambra design signifies good luck. The necklace offered is from the ‘Magic Alhambra’ collection. Created in 2006, this collection offers a modern twist on the classic Alhambra design, with alternating and different sized clover panels.

The Alhambra collection was named after Moorish fortresses built in Spain during the Middle Ages. Indeed, the quatrefoil symbol was used extensively in the architecture of the time.  Quatrefoil comes from the old French for ‘four leaves’, and so can be used to reference a clover. The clover design was inspired by Jaques Arpels, who reputedly used to gather four leaf clovers to present to his staff along with a poem. This gesture was a reminder to always stay hopeful. To Van Cleef & Arpels, luck is key, and the company states on their website that “luck must be earned, that rare clover comes as a trophy for he or she who pays careful attention to the signs of luck and is able to grasp them”.

The Alhambra design is Van Cleef & Arpels’ most popular, and has been worn by countless numbers of celebrities and royalty, including Princess Grace of Monaco and even Adele at Glastonbury.

Van Cleef & Arpels were officially appointed the official suppliers to the Principality of Monaco in 1956, and Grace Kelly is pictured below wearing her Alhambra necklaces in 1977:

The winning bidder of this lot will be very lucky indeed, an owner of an emblematic piece of jewellery and a true testament to the enduring power of excellent design. For further information on this lot or any of the items in our July Antique & Modern Jewellery Auction please contact us on 0121 212 2131 or email info@fellows.co.uk