Jean Michel Schlumberger (1907-1987) was a French jeweler known for his work at Tiffany & Co.
Younger brother of renowned archaeologist Daniel Schlumberger.
Jean started with jewelry. Its production did not require large expenses, and the ways to realize their abilities were endless. Buying elements of antique chandeliers, beads, porcelain flowers at the flea market, Jean made magnificent brooches and earrings from them and then presented them to numerous friends, among whom was the Duchess of Kent, who later became a permanent representative of Schlumberger’s works.
Jean’s name is becoming more and more popular in the fashion world after collaborating with fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli. Buttons and brooches in the form of marine animals, tropical flowers, and outlandish animals did not go unnoticed and were warmly received by the public.
Later, Jean Schlumberger meets and begins to collaborate with Jean Cocteau, Salvador Dali and Louis Aragon, which forms his special view on design solutions.
Schlumberger’s jeweled sea creatures and birds can be found on the most fashionable women of the day. His jewelry was worn by such glamorous fashionistas as Babe Paley, Elizabeth Taylor and Countess Mona Bismarck.
In 1956, the president of Tiffany & Co. Walter Hoving invites Jean Schlumberger and his friend Nicolas Bongard to join the firm as vice presidents.
The celebrity jeweler gains freedom of action and access to an unlimited supply of the finest multicolored stones, unlocking his full potential. Schlumberger unleashes her imagination and creates the most beautiful designer pieces of her career.
Jean Schlumberger is one of four jewelers Tiffany & Co. allowed her works to be signed: other jewelers are Elsa Peretti, Paloma Picasso and Frank Gehry.
Despite his international reputation, Jean Schlumberger was known to be reserved, shy and reserved, but he also enjoyed and appreciated socializing with friends that included Cristobal Balenciaga, Emilio Terry and Hubert de Givenchy.
Jean-Michel was especially inspired by the marine theme: the inhabitants of the sea rough, starfish, shells, fish are reflected in the work of the jeweler.
