Sunday, May 3, 2020

STAR: Jean Schlumberger

Bird on Rock brooch, Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany and Co.

Bunny Mellon was a major collector of works by renowned Jean Schlumberger - she amassed 160 of his creations!  Here, his iconic "bird on rock" brooch - incorporating the fabulous Tiffany Yellow Diamond a stunning over 120 carat stone.  This piece is still being made by Tiffany, albeit without the Tiffany Yellow Diamond... Schlumberger jewelry and Objet d' vertu are associated with Tiffany and Company, where Jean was promoted to Vice President.

Not surprising, Bunny and Jean developed a close friendship, and it was through Jean that she met the famous couturier, Cristobal Balenciaga, who did all of her clothes prior to her friendship with Count Hubert de Givenchy.  Meryl Gordon covers this subject beautifully in her 2017 bio of Bunny Mellon.

Jean Schlumberger was also famous for using colored enamel and below you can see iconic rings of his - he also made bracelets in this style, which Jackie Kennedy favored.  You can find Schlumberger cuff links for as little as $1,600 online, but more often prices are higher.  You can also find Schlumberger inspired jewelry at Carlson's Fine Jewelry here in Naples.  DF