Further Details
| Condition Report | Very fine |
|---|---|
| Setting | 18ct gold signed VCA, numbered and stamped 750 and with French assay marks |
| Weight description | 16 grams |
| Dimensions | 2cm in length, the large head 1.5cm in diameter, the smaller one 1.1cm in diameter |
| Origin | French |
| Gemstones | 4 x carved and polished pieces of mother of pearl |
| SKU | 128413 |
Directors Notes
Van Cleef & Arpels launched their Alhambra collection in 1968. It was originally conceived as an 18ct yellow gold long chain necklace with twenty gold four leaf clover motifs that were inspired by the shapes and patterns that Jacques Arpels noted on his travels. At the Doge’s Palace in Venice and the Alhambra in Grenada he saw repeated use of traditional quatrefoil motifs which called to mind the four-leaf clovers he loved to look for in his garden at home in France. A great believer in lucky charms and talismans, Jacques would pick these ‘lucky’ four-leaf clovers to give to friends and colleagues so it seems unsurprising that this motif would work its way into the Maison’s jewellery sooner or later. The original gold necklace from 1968 was soon joined by brightly coloured versions inlaid with gem materials such as malachite, lapis, turquoise, carnelian, mother of pearl and onyx. These soon caught the attention of some of the most glamourous women of the time including Princess Grace of Monaco who was often photographed wearing multiple Alhambra necklaces layered together. Since then, this traditional and timeless symbol of luck has been re-imagined many times over and the collection, which now includes rings, cufflinks, watches, bracelets, pendants and more, recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.
