Entwined Flowers, Red and White Roses bracelet (1924)

The 1925 International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris was an exceptional event for the worlds of architecture, the decorative arts, and, more specifically, jewelry. During the fair, Van Cleef & Arpels was awarded the Grand Prix, notably for this bracelet. The piece combines the Maison's naturalistic approach with an Art Deco aesthetic. It depicts a garland of roses – one of the most important motifs in the arts at the time. Three roses are set with rubies and have a diamond heart, while the other three consist of diamond petals with a yellow diamond heart. Emerald leaves and onyx branches add touches of contrasting color along the bracelet. You may have noticed that the rubies and emeralds are buff topped, which means that their surface is polished but not facetted, conveying an impression of volume and softness.