Sotheby’s is set to present The Schlumberger Collection—a series of auctions dedicated to the remarkable possessions of the late French-born architect, philanthropist, and arts patron Anne Schlumberger. The sales, beginning 21 October, are anticipated to bring in more than $85 million, celebrating a legacy steeped in art, design, and Surrealist influence.
Among the most dazzling highlights is Salvador Dalí’s Swirling Sea Necklace, a one-of-a-kind masterpiece blending fantasy and fine craftsmanship. Conceived by Dalí in 1954 and brought to life in 1963 by New York jeweler Carlos Alemany, the necklace features a mesmerizing combination of 61 sapphires (48.27 carats), 61 emeralds (89.97 carats), 67 diamonds (4.74 carats), 125 Oriental pearls, and a single large South Sea pearl. Its estimated value ranges between $350,000 and $585,000.
Originally gifted by Dalí to São Schlumberger, Pierre Schlumberger’s second wife, the necklace achieved fame when it fetched $665,000 at a Sotheby’s auction in 2014—far surpassing its high estimate.
Anne Schlumberger, who passed away in April at age 85, was the daughter of oil magnate and art collector Pierre Schlumberger and French aristocrat Claire Simone Schwob d’Hericourt. Born in France and raised in Houston, Texas, following the German invasion during World War II, Anne cultivated a deep appreciation for art, architecture, and design that spanned decades and continents.
Beyond jewelry, the upcoming sales will feature an array of eclectic treasures, including François-Xavier Lalanne’s 1976 “Hippopotame Bar”, a whimsical hippopotamus-shaped bar cart expected to fetch upwards of $7 million.
Described by Sotheby’s as “an eclectic and multi-century assemblage reflecting both the dynastic heritage of the Schlumberger family and Anne Schlumberger’s independent eye,” the collection encapsulates a rich tapestry of cultural sophistication.
The auctions will unfold across Paris, Hong Kong, and New York, offering collectors a rare glimpse into one of the 20th century’s most intriguing artistic legacies.
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