Round and old-cut rubies, 18k yellow gold (French marks), circa 1945, detachable ruby 'boule' motifs may be worn as clips, signed Van Cleef & Arpels, maker's marks (Ladislas Bergolz), necklace and motifs numbered

Size/Dimensions: necklace 38.5 cm long, as clips 1.5 cm high
Gross weight: 110.4 grams

Christie's, Geneva, 20 November 2009, lot 1110

Given their grouping, it is quite possible that the 'boule' motifs clips were designed to be worn either as a group of lady's brooches or as boutons de plastron - a set of gentleman's dress studs. The ingenious addition, in 1951, of a special necklace to attach these buttons was a unique 'Commande Speciale'. There does not appear to be a record of anything similar in the archives. VC&A are renowned for their 'metamorphic' versatile jewels and this set excels as a very sophisticated and unusual, if not unique, example of brooch clips, dress clips and necklace all combined.

Conditions of Sale
FAQs
This lot is offered by Christie's International SA

Brought to you by