Van Cleef & Arpels unveils Ancient Egypt-inspired collection

Van Cleef and Arpels has unveiled a new collection entitled ‘Fascinating Egypt’, drawing inspiration from ancient Egyptian history, mythology and architecture.   

The collection, developed over four years, pays tribute to ‘the land of the pharaohs’, a civilization known for its pyramids, temples, landscapes and the last active queen of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, Cleopatra.

The combination of bold colours and craftsmanship includes pieces such as the ‘Vénus égyptienne’ clip, and a necklace embedded with turquoise lapis lazuli and gold diamonds. 

Other pieces featured classic styles of the era, including the ‘Beauté légendaire’ necklace, featuring a breast plate shaping as seen on Elizabeth Taylor in the film Cleopatra. 

Van Cleef and Arpels have been known for their references to Egyptian heritage in the past. In the 1920s, the brand created a number of Egyptian-inspired pieces following Howard Carter’s discovery of Tutankhamen’s tomb in 1922. These pieces depicted Egyptian symbols and images through contemporary Art Deco codes including geometric lines, repeated patterns and stark contrasts. 

The collection, which widely influenced ‘Fascinating Egypt’, reflected a worldwide passion for Ancient Egypt, as well as building a longstanding relationship with Egyptian royalty, who went onto commission jewels for the wedding of Princess Fawzia in the 1930s.

Catherine Reiner, CEO of Van Cleef and Arpels, told Vogue Arabia: “Van Cleef and Arpels goes beyond tangible vestiges of Egyptian antiquity to comprehensively embrace these manifestations of Egyptomania.

“Naturally, we drew from authoritative literary references like Panthéon Égyptien, illustrated by Léon-Jean-Joseph Dubois, but we also found inspiration in more oblique artistic currents and works, including designs by the Memphis group and art forms that we have not traditionally portrayed, such as cinema and theatre.”

Van Cleef and Arpels exploration of Egypt’s history, travel and heritage through this collection will be showcased across international markets.