Earlier in June, Van Cleef & Arpels unveiled Le Grand Tour, a 70-piece high jewellery collection inspired by the journeys of yesteryears, where privileged adventurers traversed renowned cities, propelled by their quest for societal recognition.
Rome, arguably the most important destination on the Grand Tour, enjoys the spotlight as the city that inspires the most jewels. The birthplace of classical antiquity is explored in three intriguing clips, each displaying a stone of great historical significance.
Laurier Impérial Clip
A symbol of opulence and history, the Laurier impérial clip evokes the laurel crowns of the past and showcases a rare 3rd-century engraved sapphire. The intaglio depicts Emperor Caracalla in profile, complete with furrowed brows and lowered gaze. A sapphire of such quality and transparency would have been unusual for an intaglio from that period. Surrounding the stone are sapphire and diamond foliage, and lapis lazuli berries set on a gold stem. The masterpiece’s luminous finale is a pear shaped diamond.
Amfora clip
The Anfora clip unveils a 2nd-century red jasper intaglio representing an amphora motif in delicate counter-relief engraving. With a symphony of 3D gold sculptures and mirror-polished finishes, this brooch is an exquisite example of goldsmithing. Lapis lazuli cabochons evoke the ancient splendour of Rome, while round diamonds accentuate the composition. A radiant 4.87-ct oval-cut spessartite garnet crowns the ensemble.
Finally, the Fresque céleste clip marries the lustrous allure of hammered gold with the radiance of diamonds, elegantly shaping voluminous spirals reminiscent of baroque inspired cloud motifs. The enchanting tableau harbours an unexpected treasure—an 8.62-ct citrine cabochon graced with an intaglio carved between the first and second century. A rare choice for glyptic art, the citrine is engraved with a crescent moon and stars, their golden brilliance contrasting vividly with the stone’s honey-yellow hue.
