Jewels Once Owned by Queen Nazli and Princess Fawzia on Display at Van Cleef & Arpels’ Exhibition in Riyadh

The event is running until April 15, 2023

Dazzling jewels previously owned by late Hollywood icons and royals Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly, Queen Nazli of Egypt, and Princess Fawzia of Egypt have made their way to Saudi Arabia this week. Supported by the Saudi Ministry of Culture, Van Cleef & Arpels will be showcasing its sparkling gems and dazzling jewels at the National Museum of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh until April 15, 2023, inviting jewelry lovers, collectors, and clients to discover the unique craftsmanship, show-stopping designs, and unparalleled innovation that has shaped the luxury jewelry house’s century-long history.

The exhibition, which opened its doors on Jan. 19, is themed around three sections dedicated to the notions of Time, Nature, and Love. What’s on view there now: more than 280 objects, including jewelry, watches, and precious objects dating back to the Maison’s founding in 1906. The exhibition does a beautiful job of drawing out how some of Van Cleef & Arpels’ most iconic creations came to be. Over 90 archival documents, sketches, and gouaché designs are on display, showing how they relate to previous pieces owned by the likes of Queen Nazli and Grace Kelly. Each of the state-of-art pieces were carefully selected under the curation of Alba Cappellieri, Professor of Jewelry Design at Milan Polytechnic University and President of the Milano Fashion Institute.

In addition to the jewelry on display, the space plays host to the work of international architect and designer Johanna Grawunder, who has imagined an immersive scenography for the four-month- long exhibition, and will also see a series of talks with regional and international speakers and children’s and adult workshops. Meanwhile, L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, supported by Van Cleef & Arpels, is offering courses, workshops, and talks on topics such as “Nature: The Inspiration for Architecture,” “The Secret Language of Flowers,” and “The Philosophy Behind Love.” Several renowned international speakers have also been asked to give talks on “Saudi Arabia’s Influence in Local Industry” and “The Secrets of Sentimental Jewels.”

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