Van Cleef & Arpels Openwork Butterfly Diamond Gold Charm

Negative space, handled with discipline. This Van Cleef & Arpels butterfly charm is cast in 18k yellow gold and defined mostly by what's been taken away. The wings are pierced through, and the veins are left as polished struts, so the form reads as line rather than mass. Six round diamonds follow the curve of the body, the one element drawn in light instead of metal. The butterfly sits at a slight angle to its clasp, caught at an oblique moment instead of posed flat and symmetrical. It's a quiet choice, and a very Van Cleef one. The Maison has returned to the butterfly for most of its history, usually in color, whether enamel, hardstone, or mother-of-pearl. Here there's no color at all, just structure and a little sparkle. About 2.4cm across, on Van Cleef's clip-on charm clasp for a chain or bracelet. Measuring .94" in width by .82" in length