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Van Cleef & Arpels has consistently distinguished itself by marrying technical virtuosity with an exceptional sense of poetry, and the latest testament to this philosophy is the Brassée de Lavande automaton, a new piece within its Extraordinary Objects collection. This creation is a narrative-driven mechanical sculpture that encapsulates the core values of innovation, craftsmanship, and the “Poetry of Time”.
At first glance, the Brassée de Lavande presents as a stunning study in botanical form. Thirty-six individual sprigs of lacquered rose gold, adorned with delicate green leaves and blue flowers, are meticulously arranged in two overlapping rows to form a voluminous, domed bouquet. Standing approximately 30 centimeters tall, its initial static beauty belies the enchanting spectacle within.
Upon activation, the automaton unfolds its story, the lavender corolla gracefully opens, as if caressed by a gentle breeze, to reveal its secret, a beautifully articulated butterfly. This central character takes flight in a swirling motion, its wings crafted with the exceptionally challenging plique-à-jour enamel technique. This method, reminiscent of stained-glass windows, allows light to pass through the translucent orange enamel, creating a vibrant contrast with the diamond-set contours and opaque black enamel lining.
The body of the butterfly is carved from tiger’s eye and accented with amethyst cabochon eyes and diamond-punctuated antennae. After its brief, graceful flight above a cluster of amethyst-set golden beads, it retreats, and the bouquet gently closes around it, completing a 20-second cycle of pure enchantment.
The Brassée de Lavande is a collective work, born from the synergistic collaboration between the Maison’s specialized workshops in Sainte-Croix, Geneva, and Paris.
- Art Mechanics (Mécanique d’Art): Housed in Sainte-Croix, the automaton-makers developed two independent mechanisms. One orchestrates the fluid, naturalistic movement of the bouquet and the butterfly’s flight—a feat requiring years of R&D to perfect. The second drives the time display, a rotating ring with golden beads and diamond hour-markers.
- The Art of Lacquer: Each lavender sprig is hand-shaped and finished with an airbrushed lacquer, a process involving meticulous layering, sanding, and polishing to achieve its final depth of color and brilliance.
- High Jewelry & Stone Selection: The base, crafted from verdite and howlite, demonstrates the Maison’s eye for unique gemstones. These materials are carefully cut and polished to highlight their natural character, while the two observing snails are rendered in polished white gold.
The Brassée de Lavande firmly resides within the lineage of Van Cleef & Arpels’ Extraordinary Objects collection, which has, since 1906, reflected the customs of the time and the peak of the Maison’s expertise. These pieces go beyond function to offer a distinctive, poetic vision of time’s passage, here, time seems to pause within the heart of a lavender bouquet.
For the professional audience, this automaton represents more than a new product, it is a statement of brand authority, and it underscores the unique position at the intersection of High Jewelry, horology, and automaton art of Van Cleef & Arpels. It is a powerful tool for storytelling, captivating clients with a tangible manifestation of dream and emotion, and a compelling reminder of the value of preserving age-old savoir-faire in a modern luxury context.
