This brooch is from Van Cleef & Arpels’ 2023 “Le Grand Tour” High Jewelry collection. Inspired by the sculpture of the goddess Hebe at Chatsworth House in London, the design masterfully captures the goddess’s elegant pose as she pours ambrosia. Set with pink sapphires, grey pearls, and other gems as dynamic focal points, it interprets the symbolism of eternal youth prevalent in European art from the Classical to the Baroque eras.
Crafted as a miniature sculpture, the piece depicts Hebe, the Greek goddess of youth, pouring ambrosia onto the mortal world. Her gown features a snow setting of diamonds, creating a brilliant sparkle. An openwork structure surrounding her—composed of polished gold, textured gold, and diamonds of varied cuts—evokes the undulating forms of a garden landscape.
A 3.47-carat Madagascar pink sapphire appears suspended above the garden motif, radiating a sweet, luminous glow. The base is adorned with symmetrical white gold scrollwork. The goddess stands upon a deep blue lapis lazuli, while a grey pearl dangling beneath the brooch provides an exquisite finishing touch.
