A Striking ‘Tulip’ Necklace by Tiffany & Co., Schlumberger at STAIR
A rare and exquisite ensemble by legendary designer Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co. is set to captivate collectors in STAIR’s upcoming June 12 auction, Fine Jewelry: Including the Collection of Carole Harris.
Widely considered one of the twentieth century’s most influential and gifted jewelry designers, Jean Schlumberger transformed couture jewelry into the expressive and vibrant art form as we know it today. Exotic flowers, creatures, and everyday objects come alive in Schlumberger’s gem-laden designs. Unbound by technical constraints, the hallmark of Schlumberger is imagination and design in the purest form, “My designs are what matter; I don’t make jewelry.” In the universe of Schlumberger, nature by way of sea and land is where his visions in gold, diamonds, and multicolored gems were waiting to be born, “For me, the art of jewelry is, first of all, a means of expression, providing possibilities for pure and durable beauty that are outside the usual framework of fashion.”
“I want to capture the irregularities of the universe. I observe nature and find verve.” – Jean Schlumberger
Jean Schlumberger began his early creative career designing “fantasy buttons” for Elsa Schiaparelli in 1930s Paris. The collection caught the attention of legendary Vogue editor Diana Vreeland and, upon moving to New York, his reputation led him to Tiffany & Co. Chairman Walter Hoving. In 1956, Schlumberger joined the storied house as Vice President, becoming one of only a few designers permitted to sign their work for the brand. It was his work at Tiffany & Co. that redefined fashionable jewelry in America and attracted prominent figures such as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Bunny Mellon, and Elizabeth Taylor to don his fanciful pieces.
LOT 5: The necklace intricately designed as vines and tulip blooms, dotted with butterflies and wasps, set with round diamonds weighing approximately 4.30 cts, signed ‘Tiffany & Co., Schlumberger Std, France’, with scratch number 222990586, and a pair of similarly styled earclips signed ‘Tiffany & Co., Schlumberger Std, France’. Necklace 14 in. (interior dims.), earclips 1 1/2 in.
The highlight in our upcoming sale, Fine Jewelry: Including the Collection of Carole Harris on June 12th, is a Tiffany & Co., Schlumberger 18k Gold and Diamond ‘Tulip’ Necklace and a Pair of Similar Designed Earclips, reflecting Schlumberger’s whimsical interpretation of natural forms. Dotted with butterflies and wasps, set with round diamonds weighing approximately 4.30 cts, signed ‘Tiffany & Co., Schlumberger Std, France’, the demi-parure is a triumph in the canon of Schlumberger works, where simple, realistic subjects are expressed with fascinating complexity. The ‘Tulip’ necklace and matching earclips are not only remarkable for their craftsmanship but also for their place in the history of fine jewelry design.
Photography and quotes: The Jewels of Jean Schlumberger by Harry N. Abrams, Inc., Publishers. Images from, Pg. 34.
CATALOGUE ONLINE: Monday, June 2
GALLERY PREVIEW:
Monday, June 2: 9am – 5pm
Tuesday, June 3: 9am – 5pm
Wednesday, June 4: 9am – 5pm
Thursday, June 5: 9am – 5pm
Friday, June 6: 9am – 5pm
Saturday, June 7: 11am – 5pm
Sunday, June 8: Closed
Monday, June 9: 9am – 5pm
Tuesday, June 10: 9am – 5pm
Wednesday, June 11: 9am – 5pm