Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co.

Lot 55, a ‘Bird on a Rock’ brooch, exemplifies the whimsical yet highly sophisticated vision of Jean Schlumberger, one of Tiffany & Co.’s most renowned designers. First conceived in 1965 for Rachel “Bunny” Mellon, the design reflects the close creative dialogue between designer and patron, drawing on their shared fascination with nature. The brooch features a diamond-set bird perched atop a vibrant colored gemstone, capturing Schlumberger’s imaginative interpretation of natural forms. Over time, the motif has become one of Tiffany’s most famed signatures, reinterpreted with a wide variety of gemstones and forms while retaining its distinctive sense of charm.

Another source of inspiration for Schlumberger was his family’s textile heritage in France, which informed his inventive approach to structure and design. This influence is evident in lot 56, a bracelet featuring his “X” motif, introduced in 1959 as part of the Sixteen Stone jewels. Derived from traditional cross-stitching, the motif translates a textile device into a distinctive design element that informed a number of later Tiffany collections.