PILYNN SIRIPHANICH

The love stories in classical literature have always been narrated, duplicated, and modified in many forms, even in the wearable form of jewellery, which can be expressed without verbal words. Van Cleef & Arpels, a French jewellery house, has also been inspired by books and folklore. In 2019, they re-launched the Romeo & Juliet collection as they used to create it in 1951.

Romeo & Juliet brooches (1951) imitated the iconic balcony scene

This tragic love story happened between young lovers from enemy families, Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet, with the background of Verona, one of the most famous cities in Italy. These elements have become each composition in the 2019 High jewellery collection of Van Cleef & Arpels.

Starting from these two main characters, Romeo and Juliet significantly developed in 2019 from 1951. They were decorated in a creative selection of colours for material and gemstones, and even the clothing gave more realistic details.

The elements of Italian architecture found in Verona are followed by the different shapes of colourful gemstones. Many jewellery pieces can be adjustable for different wear, such as pendants, which can turn into broochs.

However, the significant part of the story was the balcony scene. When Romeo and Juliet could not help but have feelings for each other, though their families strongly disagreed, they secretly met and revealed their love on the balcony.

This most memorable moment was romantically translated into a brooch. When worn, only the wearer knows the secret behind the scene; tiny Romeo and Juliet held hands at the back of the brooch. This action cannot be seen from the front, just like their feelings that could not be revealed, but it does not mean it was not real.

There are plenty of jewellery in this Romeo & Juliet collection (2019) which can be explored more at Van Cleef & Arpels website.

Katerina Perez © 2019

sources :

• https://www.globalblue.com/destinations/uk/london/van-cleef-arpels-romeo-juliet-high-jewellery-collection#slide4
• https://www.vancleefarpels.com/ru/en/nanosites/romeo-juliet.html
• http://www.thejewelleryeditor.com/jewellery/article/van-cleef-arpels-romeo-juliet-most-romantic-jewels-2019/
• https://www.katerinaperez.com/articles/van-cleef-arpels-romeo-juliet