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When
Estelle Arpels, the daughter of a gem dealer, married Alfred
Van Cleef, the son of a stonecutter, it was the beginning of
a love story, like no other, and a great adventure beyond
expectation!
Alfred
and Estelle had a desire to create something lasting. Their
enthusiasm and devoted commitment to the pursuit of beauty
led them to found the Maison of Van Cleef & Arpels in 1906.
Situated at 22 Place Vendôme in Paris, the Maison was known
for understated elegance, refinement, and grace with a taste
for innovation. Putting all of these attributes together
defined the Maison's spirit of beauty.
A
Sautoir is a French term for a long necklace that suspends a
tassel or other ornament. This style has developed over time
but probably the most popular sautoirs were woven or twisted
ropes of pearls suspending a tassel. By the time of the Art
Deco period (early 20's to late 30's) the sautoir adapted to
the new style by becoming more geometric and incorporating
diamonds and other rare gems. Many could be converted to
bracelets, shorter necklaces and head ornaments with
interchangeable pendants and tassels that could also be
suspended from earrings or another necklace.
Estelle's Sautoir evokes the style of a sautoir from the Art
Deco period. A supple cubic right angle weave fire polish
necklace cord ends with two pearl, fire polish and seed bead
tassels. A square cubic right angle weave and embellished
pearl component slides up and down the necklace to adjust
for placing over the head and adjusting to how the necklace
can be worn. The sliding component can be worn close to the
base of the throat or low. The tassels can be staggered or
even, it's up to you. Either way, this design is beautiful
and elegant. I hope that Estelle would agree.
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