Malachite Alhambra Bracelet by Van Cleef & Arpels
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Van Cleef & Arpels 18ct gold and malachite 'Vintage Alhambra' bracelet, designed as a line of five geometric motifs bordered by a beaded edge inset with a malachite plaque between diamond-cut trace chain connectors completed by a monogrammed parrot clasp, length 190 mm, indistinctly numbered, signed VCA for van Cleef & Arpels. Notes: Debuted in 1968, the Alhambra collection is inspired by the sweeping archways of the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain which features the traditional Moorish quatrefoil motif in a pattern of four overlapping circles
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- Quatrefoil - A stylised four-circle design, itself contained within a larger circle, with Gothic origins and often seen as window designs in ecclesiastical architecture. The use of the motif was popular in Gothic Revival furniture of the 19th century.
- Malachite - Malachite is bright copper-green coloured stone with concentric layers which displays distinct contrasting veinings. It has been valued in the past for making or decorating small precious objects such as clocks, jewellery, dishes and so. In the Orient it was used for snuff bottles and in Russia and was favoured by the Faberge workshop. larger pieces were used for table tops.
The principal source of supply was Russia but it is to be found in other regions such as Southern Africa, Mexico, Australia and France.
Malachite glass is a manufactured material that was intended to resemble malachite, but often bears more resemblance to a veined coloured marble due to its lower gloss finish and lack of concentric layers. Malachite glass was manufactured by many glassworks in the 19th century including Loetz in Austria and others in Bohemia and Davidson's Greener's and Sowerby in north eastern England.
It was particularly used for scent bottles, bowls, and small vases often decorated with nymphs.
Malachite glass has been manufactured continuously since the late nineteenth century, most is unmarked and it is difficult to distinguish the age or manufacturer of most commercial pieces.
This item has been included into following indexes:
- bracelets, gold link type - gold plaque link 79
- bracelets, gold with gemstones - gold, other 1,676
- bracelets, silver - silver and malachite 22
- Van Cleef & Arpels (France)