Exhibition features jewelry by famous designer Jean Schlumberger

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Beijing is hosting an exhibition that showcases jewelry and other artistic creations by renowned French-born surrealist jeweler and designer Jean Schlumberger. It's co-hosted by the National Museum of China and the United States' Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

A total of 123 treasures crafted from the magical hands of Jean Schlumberger are presented.

"There is no language that is more universal across the world than beauty. And jewelry is such a great way to do that," said Alex Nyerges, director of Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

With donations from Rachel Lambert Mellon, the American museum holds the most comprehensive public collection by Schlumberger.

Jellyfish brooch by Jean Schlumberger. /Photo courtesy of National Museum of China

Jean Schlumberger was born in 1907. He trained as a jeweler and fashion designer, and came to prominence after the Second World War in New York when he worked for Tiffany's. Unlike other designers, he drew his greatest inspiration from nature, finding ways to unite its beauty with the art of human imagination, and in the process re-defining jewelry design in the 20th century.

In order to deepen the exchange between Chinese and Western civilizations, the National Museum of China has selected 11 historical artifacts from its collection to be displayed alongside the art pieces from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

The selected Chinese treasures are made from a variety of natural materials.

Leaves necklace by Jean Schlumberger. /Photo courtesy of National Museum of China

"Jewelry is a medium that carries a lot of emotions and history. We selected 11 items from our collection to show the splendor of Chinese civilization and Chinese art and crafts," said Pan Qing from the National Museum of China.

Last year, China's National Museum and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts entered a five-year agreement to promote exchanges and large-scale joint exhibitions. This exhibition is the first major achievement under that deal.

Visitors have until September 1 to enjoy these stunning art pieces.