Vintage Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co. "V-Rope" Gold Diamond and Platinum Earrings, Circa 1980

A pair of vintage Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co. "V-Rope" gold and diamond earrings, in twisted wirework, set with round brilliant-cut diamonds, in platinum settings, mounted in 18ct gold, with omega clip and post fittings, signed Tiffany Schlumberger, stamped 18K, circa 1980. With an approximate total diamond weight of 0.90 carats.

Jean Schlumberger, was born in 1907. His family were textile manufacturers, in Mulhouse, in Alsace. He was a talented artist from an early age. Although he was sent to Berlin, by his parents, for a career in banking, he left, for Paris, in is early 20s, to begin his training. Mixing with the Parisian fashion circles and as he put it, "scrounging" in the Marche des Puces flea market, he was inspired by his background in textiles. He opened an atelier on Rue de la Boetie. In 1937 Elsa Schiaparelli discovered his flower brooches, modelled in Meissen porcelain and asked him to be her lead designer for her collection of costume jewellery and buttons. He served in the French Army, in the second world war. After the war he moved to New York, briefly working as a fashion designer. He then opened a small jewellery shop, with his business partner Nicolas Bongard. His collaboration with Tiffany began in 1956. The chairman of Tiffany & Co., Walter Hoving, asked Schlumberger to join the company, installing a special design studio and salon for his work. Eventually he reached the position of vice president. He had a home in Guadeloupe, in the Caribbean, where he created some of his most famed designs. He died in 1987. Tiffany & Co. continue to produce many of his designs today.

With thanks to Macklowe Gallery, Tiffany & Co. and Christies.