Farandole Dancer clip

This Farandole Dancer clip dating from 1953 provides valuable evidence of the Ballerinas necklace which, although dismantled in the 1950s, can still be traced back through the Maison’s archives. The original necklace, presented in this Van Cleef & Arpels advertisement, was composed of a farandole of Whirls and Ballerinas whose tutus in blades of polished yellow gold were hemmed with sapphires. The necklace was made in 1951 and dismantled soon after, its ornamental motifs being transformed into a number of clips between 1951 and 1953. These were initially dotted with diamonds, but some versions also used rubies and sapphires, like the piece shown here. Several elements were reused for earrings, some as triple Whirl and others with a single motif. While the Ballerina clips were figurative, their association with the Whirl clips provides a more abstract interpretation of movement. In fact, the latter can be seen as depictions of dancers viewed from a low angle, revealing splayed tutus.