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Lot 484PROPERTY OF A LADY
VAN CLEEF & ARPELS RETRO GOLD, RUBY, SAPPHIRE, COLOURED SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND 'PASSE-PARTOUT' SUITE
Closed23 June 2021
Price Realised
GBP 325,000
More Information
Specialist note
It is rare to encounter such a comprehensive suite of ‘Passe-Partout’ jewellery and even more unusual that it has been in the same family since it was acquired around the time of its conception.
Patented in France on 8 August 1938 and in New York on 20 April 1939, the Passe-Partout design was one of the first transformative jewels created by Van Cleef & Arpels. It immediately appealed to the modern woman as it could be adapted to be worn in a number of ways to suit different clothes and situations. Usually formed from detachable blue and yellow flowerhead clusters with a ruby or coloured sapphire centre, a hidden technical innovation in the form of a system of rails enables a flexible gold snake chain to slide in and out allowing the piece to transform into necklaces of different lengths, a bracelet and even a belt. This particular suite includes a ring, a pair of hair combs a bracelet watch and ear clips. This avant-garde design soon became a favourite of many stylish and prominent women including actress Paulette Goddard, wife of Charlie Chaplin, heiress Doris Duke and Hélène Arpels.
Patented in France on 8 August 1938 and in New York on 20 April 1939, the Passe-Partout design was one of the first transformative jewels created by Van Cleef & Arpels. It immediately appealed to the modern woman as it could be adapted to be worn in a number of ways to suit different clothes and situations. Usually formed from detachable blue and yellow flowerhead clusters with a ruby or coloured sapphire centre, a hidden technical innovation in the form of a system of rails enables a flexible gold snake chain to slide in and out allowing the piece to transform into necklaces of different lengths, a bracelet and even a belt. This particular suite includes a ring, a pair of hair combs a bracelet watch and ear clips. This avant-garde design soon became a favourite of many stylish and prominent women including actress Paulette Goddard, wife of Charlie Chaplin, heiress Doris Duke and Hélène Arpels.