Butterflies - a symbol of the eternal renewal of a poetic and ethereal nature- is a theme that Van Cleef & Arpels cherishes. A limitless source of inspiration, butterflies have often fuelled the Maison’s imagination.
In the 1920s, these winged creatures were transformed into precious clips and earrings.
In the 1970s, they were adorned with Mystery Setting™, mother-of-pearl and lacquered wood.
In 2010, Van Cleef & Arpels went butterfly hunting with a High Jewelry collection entirely based around this theme.
In 2013, butterflies are at the center of new compositions evoking the cycles of nature and the seasons: from day to night and from spring to winter.
The dial is covered in white mother-of-pearl. Various enamel techniques are used to create it:
- Translucent plique-à-jour enamel is applied by brush to the cells which make up the upper wing, with their thin gold borders.
- Unpolished cabochonné enamel gives a curved relief to the strawberries
- Champlevé enameling technique adorns the veined leaves with green
Technical data
Lady Arpels Papillon Rouge Gourmand
White gold case, 38 mm diameter, bezel set with diamonds
Dial: white mother-of-pearl, champlevé, plique-à-jour and cabochonné enamel, diamonds
Hand-wound mechanical movement
Limited edition of 22 pieces
