Magnificent Jewels of Jean Schlumberger: From the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Collection

Curated by: Dr. Michael R. Taylor

The National Museum of Qatar is proud to present a dazzling collection of over 120 objects realised in gemstones and precious metals by the famed artist-jeweller Jean Schlumberger (1907-1987).

Schlumberger transformed 20th century fashion with his creative designs for highly sculptural, vibrant, and imaginative jewellery and accessories inspired by natural forms. After emerging as a popular costume jeweller in Parisian high society in the late 1930s, he opened an independent shop in New York City. Within a decade, he had earned a devoted jet-set clientele and his own salon at Tiffany & Co.’s iconic Fifth Avenue headquarters. As a signature designer for the American luxury jewellery firm for over 30 years, Schlumberger became well known for his interpretations of animal and botanical subjects, particularly marine life and flowers, which are amongst the highlights of the Rachel Lambert Mellon Collection at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Rachel Lambert ‘Bunny’ Mellon was an expert in garden design, a philanthropist, and Jean Schlumberger’s most important patron.

Admission fees apply to temporary exhibitions as of 15 October 2019.

Organised by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

The VMFA is one of the largest comprehensive art museums in the United States and is open 365 days a year with free general admission. In addition to presenting a wide array of special exhibitions, the museum provides visitors with the opportunity to experience a global art collection that spans more than 6,000 years. VMFA’s permanent holdings encompass nearly 40,000 objects from the largest public collection of Fabergé outside of Russia to the finest collections of French Art Nouveau and American art.

Go to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts website link