A solid eighteen carat gold, articulate fish cigarette lighter with ruby and emerald eye.  This fabulous and intricately hand made piece is a study of both whimsical design, and outstanding craftsmanship.  The fish was designed by French jewellery designer Jean Schlumberger and made for Tiffany & Co.  The body of the fish is constructed so that as the body tapers, with segment becming smaller, it has a fluid mobility.  Almost as if the fish wants to swim away.  The head portion of the fish is hinged at the back of the neck, which when folded back, reveals a lighter.  The lighter is a classic petrol wick and flint wheel design, and is functioning and in perfect condition.  The lighter portion slides out, and is also solid eighteen carat gold, marked with the same French Poinçon for makers HA, and the eagle head, as well as being hand signed "Schlumberger".  It is filled in the base via a screw, along with the replacing of the flint wheel.

Jean Shclumberger  began his design career designing buttons for Italy's answer to Coco Chanel; Elsa Schiaparelli.  After recognition for his work in this area, she commissioned him to design a line of costume jewellery for her atelier.  The outbreak of World War Two halted his progress in the fashion world, and he served his country admirably  during the conflict.  His biggest move came when Walter Hoving, President of Tiffany & Co. invited him to take a position in New York designing a line of fine jewellery for the firm.  It did not take long for his work to become worn and desired by the most elegant and fashionable women in the world.  Audrey Hepburn, Gloria Vanderbilt and the Duchess of Windsor were among a handful of his clients who couldn't wait to see his next whimsical and fanciful creations.  With the full backing of Tiffany's the cookie jar of gemstones, he went on to create many of the world's finest pieces of jewellery until his retirement, as Vice-President, in the 1970's.

One of the most famous pieces created was the mounting for the famed Tiffany Diamond, which  had been in the firm's collection since the nineteenth century. The brooch, entitled "Bird on a Rock", incorporates the impressive 128.54 carats (25.708 g) yellow diamond in a fanciful setting typical of Schlumberger's style.  This stone was then mounted into a necklace he designed which Hepburn is photographed in, and later remarks on in the iconic "Breakfast at Tiffany's".

This quite rare and special piece is a wonderful example of his approach to design, and execution.  Humourous, beautifully made and unique.  Each one of these has his hand engraved name on the tail and Tiffany & Co.  On the reverse it is engraved "Made in France" along with a unique number.  In the case "24".  It is believed this is the issue number, meaning this was the twenty-fourth example to me made, with perhaps under thirty total completed.  Not all are dual signed Tiffany & Schlumberger.  The condition is perfect throughout, the lighter is working, simply needing lighter fluid adding.  There are marks throughout, including on the fin of the fish.  Made in France, circa 1960's.