97th Auction

2018/5/12

Lot 162

Van Cleef & Arpels, Paris, 115 x 120 x 22 mm, 987 g, circa 1960
A sophisticated, heavy and rare diamond-set "Minaudière" with concealed watch
Case: 18k gold and brilliant-cut diamonds, engine-turned, brilliant-set monogram "HW", hinged, the inner lid with mirror; the interior with five containers with fine engine-turned pattern for make-up, lipstick, powder etc., also an engine-turned note sheet. Slide to reveal the watch on the right side. Dial: silvered. Movm.: rectangular movement.
Van Cleef & Arpels "Minaudière"
Van Cleef & Arpels introduced the "minaudiere" in the 1930s; it is a metal box, usually in gold, adorned with precious stones and intricate patterns that women doubled up as a handbag to hold their necessities. In 1927 Charles Arpels was inspired to create a complex compartmentalised minaudière, the forerunner of all those box metal clutch bags one currently sees at evening functions.
Such is the cachet and quality of a Van Cleef & Arpels piece that it is much favoured by both royalty and film stars, as well as by those who simply enjoy showing off their wealth - in this case with nearly a kilo of gold and diamonds…
Van Cleef & Arpels is a French jewelry, watch, and perfume company. It was founded in 1906 by Alfred Van Cleef and his brother-in-law Charles Arpels. Van Cleef & Arpels is known for their expertise in precious stones and intricate, whimsical pieces that often feature flowers, animals, and fairies. Their pieces have been worn by style icons such as the Duchess of Windsor, Grace Kelly and Elizabeth Taylor. The company has garnered particular acclaim for a groundbreaking gem-setting procedure known as the Mystery Setting.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Cleef_%26_Arpels, as of 09/29/2013.

Sold

estimated
50.00065.000 €
Price realized
86.400 €