This autumn, Van Cleef & Arpels invites visitors in Riyadh to immerse themselves in its poetic world with A Stroll Through Van Cleef & Arpels’ Living Nature, a patrimonial exhibition that brings together over thirty archival creations alongside ten original drawings. On display at the Maison’s Solitaire Mall boutique from September 1 to November 28, 2025, the exhibition highlights the enduring dialogue between jewelry and the natural world, a theme that has long defined the house’s artistry.
The exhibition spans nearly a century of craftsmanship, from the late 1930s to the 2010s, presenting a carefully curated journey where flowers and animals take center stage. This whimsical conversation between fauna and flora is at once a celebration of creativity and a meditation on the beauty of life. With each piece, Van Cleef & Arpels reaffirms its unique ability to transform the fleeting poetry of nature into enduring treasures.
Among the earliest works is the 1946 Three-Bird clip, which captures two of the Maison’s deepest sources of inspiration: love and nature. Three birds perched delicately on a branch adorned with flowers and leaves symbolize harmony and companionship, themes that have remained central to Van Cleef & Arpels since its beginnings. The piece’s intricate details, rendered in yellow gold, rubies, sapphires, and diamonds, embody the Maison’s pursuit of both sentiment and elegance.
The late 1950s marked a new era of experimentation with ornamental stones. A 1961 floral clip exemplifies this spirit, featuring turquoise nestled within golden petals, its vivid hue contrasted by the sparkle of rubies and diamonds. The choice of turquoise, long revered for its vibrance, underscores the Maison’s constant dialogue between color and form, bringing unexpected freshness to classic motifs.
Another highlight, a beaded ruby necklace with a detachable tassel from 1972, reflects the Arpels family’s voyages to India. Its fiery motif channels cultural influences that have inspired the Maison since the 1940s, blending Eastern vibrance with French refinement. Here, craftsmanship becomes a bridge between cultures, a hallmark of Van Cleef & Arpels’ timeless vision.
Fast forward to 2008, the Omikuji necklace from Les Jardins High Jewelry collection introduces a poetic narrative inspired by Japanese gardens. Crafted in white gold with pink sapphires and tsavorite garnets, it depicts branches swaying in the breeze, punctuated by a flowing green ribbon. Its name recalls the Japanese custom of tying fortunes to trees, infusing the piece with themes of beauty, motion, and luck—echoes of the Maison’s fascination with stories and symbols.
Taken together, these works reveal how Van Cleef & Arpels has consistently found inspiration in the living world, whether in the delicate petals of a flower, the iridescence of a bird, or the quiet elegance of a garden. Each creation is not only a piece of jewelry but also a narrative, offering a glimpse into the Maison’s evolving dialogue with nature across decades.
Visitors to the Solitaire Mall boutique will find themselves immersed in a patrimonial display that speaks as much to history as it does to artistry. The exhibition brings to life Van Cleef & Arpels’ heritage, illuminating the maison’s role as both custodian of beauty and innovator of design. In every jewel, one discovers a universe where the natural world is reimagined with precious stones and extraordinary savoir-faire.
For Van Cleef & Arpels, A Stroll Through Living Nature is more than an exhibition—it is an invitation to experience poetry in motion, a rare chance to encounter the Maison’s creative legacy in dialogue with the eternal rhythms of nature. It is a tribute to the timeless friendship between jewelry and the natural world, one that continues to inspire awe, delight, and reverence.
