In Praise of Hands: The Art of Fine Jewelry at Van Cleef &

In Praise of Hands: The Art of Fine Jewelry at Van Cleef & Arpels

A trip to the discovery of jewelery manufacturing. Founded in Paris in 1896, Van Cleef & Arpels is perhaps the most renowned maison of fine jewelery in the world. The book reveals for the first time the secrets of the Mains dâ€™Or that make every piece by Van Cleef & Arpels a unique jewel. The human hand takes pride in its work, and with this book, Van Cleef & Arpels wish to pay homage to all those skilled and knowledgeable hands whose humility and selflessness make it possible for jewelery to exist. It is a life force, transmitted by jewelers, setters, polishers, and all those who are daily confronted by age-old and precious materials: shaping, transforming, and exalting them without ever betraying the reverence that a masterpiece should inspire.

In Praise of Hands: The Art of Fine Jewelry at Van Cleef & Arpels