Inside Van Cleef & Arpels’ Art Deco Exhibit in Tokyo, Ending Soon

By Annie Davidson Watson | December 29, 2025

Van Cleef & Arpels has opened a major historical exhibition in Tokyo titled “Timeless Art Deco With Van Cleef & Arpels High Jewelry.” Running through Jan. 18, 2026, the showcase is hosted at the Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum—the former residence of Prince Asaka and a landmark of art deco architecture.

The timing of the exhibition is significant, as it commemorates the 100th anniversary of the 1925 International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris. This historic event not only gave the art deco movement its name but also served as a pivotal moment for Van Cleef & Arpels, which was awarded a Grand Prize for its contributions.

The curation features approximately 250 creations, including jewelry, timepieces, and precious objects sourced from the maison’s patrimonial collection and private lenders. These are accompanied by 60 archival documents that provide technical and historical context. A central highlight is the 1924 “Entwined Flowers, Red and White Roses” bracelet (pictured at top). This ruby and diamond piece, which won the 1925 Grand Prize, is presented as a quintessential example of how Van Cleef blended floral motifs with the emerging geometric rigor of the era.

The exhibition is divided between two spaces. The museum’s main building focuses on historical works produced between the 1910s and 1930s, highlighting the shift from art nouveau’s fluid lines to the symmetrical “white jewelry” aesthetic that dominated the mid-1920s. The annex is dedicated to the maison’s signature technical “savoir-faire.” This section explores innovations like the trademark Mystery Set, intricate gold work, and transformable designs—features that became pillars of the brand’s identity following the art deco period.

The exhibition is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., though it is closed on most Mondays and during the New Year holiday period (Dec. 28–Jan. 4). Due to high demand, visitors are required to book timed-entry tickets in advance.

(Photo courtesy of Van Cleef & Arpels)

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