Flora & Fauna: Fine Jewels
Flora & Fauna: Fine Jewels
Property of a Lady
Van Cleef & Arpels
Gem set and diamond brooch, 'Lion Ebouriffé', 1970s
Lot Closed
September 2, 08:02 AM GMT
Estimate
4,000 - 6,000 CHF
Lot Details
Description
Gem set and diamond brooch, 'Lion Ebouriffé', Van Cleef & Arpels, 1970s
In the form of a lion, the eyes set with circular-cut emeralds, the muzzle with circular-cut diamonds and the nose applied with black enamel, signed Van Cleef & Arpels, numbered, French assay mark for gold and maker's mark.
In the early 1950s, Van Cleef & Arpels started introducing humorous, cartoon-like animal brooches with the intention of creating more accessible jewellery destined for a larger clientele. Sold at 'La Boutique' that was opened at 22 Place Vendôme in 1954, the brooches rapidly became a success, even entering famous jewellery collections, such as those of Princess Grace of Monaco and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.
Cf.: Sara D. Coffin et al., Set in Style: The Jewelry of Van Cleef & Arpels, New York, 2011, pg. 272 for a similar 'Lion ébouriffé'.