Myths have long served as one of art’s most enduring sources of inspiration. Stories that have left deep marks on collective memory have been reinterpreted across disciplines for centuries. Noah’s Ark is one such ancient narrative—this time told not through canvas, stone, or words, but through the most refined expressions of high jewelry.
With its L’Arche de Noé collection, Van Cleef & Arpels reimagines the story of Noah’s Ark through contemporary jewelry aesthetics. The result—60 individual animal brooches—forms not merely a collection, but a narrative devoted to nature, the animal kingdom, and exceptional craftsmanship.
Nature rewritten in precious materials
At the heart of this collection lie three elements deeply embedded in Van Cleef & Arpels’ creative DNA: color, movement, and storytelling. Each animal brooch is approached not as a decorative motif, but as a character—defined by posture, energy, and personality.
Here, gemstones are not ornamental accents but integral parts of the narrative. Onyx, lapis lazuli, coral, emeralds, sapphires, and diamonds are selected according to each animal’s nature. The precision of the cuts, the balance of color, and the placement of stones come together through extraordinary craftsmanship, transforming every brooch into a miniature work of art.
Romance, humor, and movement
The collection does not settle into a single emotional register. A pair of penguins in love, their flippers gently touching, express romance through the striking contrast of black onyx and diamonds. Elsewhere, koalas, kangaroos, and monkeys reveal a rare sense of playfulness and humor—a dimension not often associated with high jewelry.
In the kangaroo brooches, the depiction of the joey nestled within its mother’s pouch offers a delicate reference to nature’s continuity and protective instinct.
Graphic forms and mythological accents
Zebras stand out as some of the collection’s most graphic pieces. Opaque stones such as lapis lazuli and onyx emphasize the animal’s distinctive patterns with a near-illustrative clarity. These designs reveal Van Cleef & Arpels’ ability to move beyond romance into a bold, contemporary visual language.
The mythological dimension unfolds through Pegasus and the Unicorn. Warm tones of ruby and coral energize Pegasus’ wings, enhancing the sensation of movement, while the Unicorn emerges as an almost mythical presence through sapphires set using the house’s iconic Mystery Setting technique. This method allows stones to be placed without visible metal, creating a continuous surface of color.
The pinnacle of color with peacocks and parrots
Among the collection’s most striking creations are the peacocks. Set against a turquoise base, the pair brings together emeralds, sapphires, tourmalines, and garnets in a composition that represents the apex of chromatic artistry. Historically a symbol of wealth and splendor, the peacock is redefined here through jewelry.
Parrots, with their sculptural forms, emerald-set eyes, and onyx beaks, introduce the energy of exotic landscapes into the collection. Each detail evokes the vibrancy of tropical forests.
More than jewelry, a narrative
L’Arche de Noé is not merely a technical demonstration for Van Cleef & Arpels. These brooches exist at the intersection of emotional connection to nature, masterful craftsmanship, and storytelling.
The collection reminds us that jewelry can be more than something worn—it can be a portable narrative, a personal symbol, and a form of cultural memory.
The Voggia Perspective
In reinterpreting Noah’s Ark, Van Cleef & Arpels does not offer a nostalgic glance toward the past. Instead, it renders the diversity and fragility of nature visible through a contemporary aesthetic. L’Arche de Noé stands as a powerful reminder that luxury can carry not only splendor, but also meaning, sensitivity, and responsibility.
