Jean Schlumberger was known for his designs of small boxes. Although born in France, Schlumberger is today viewed as the foremost American artist and designer employed by Tiffany & Co. during the 1950s and 60s. This makeup compact, designed to hold pressed powder, was made by Louis Féron on December 7, 1959 and purchased two days later by the industrialist Paul Mellon, perhaps as a Christmas gift for his wife. Rachel Lambert “Bunny” Mellon was renowned for her good taste, her affection for art, and skill as a gardener. Never without flowers by her side, Mrs. Mellon was particularly fond of dahlias. Her husband noted that his wife “had a garden when she was 5. That led her into all kinds of other things—to trees, to landscape gardening. Everything she does in life—her reading, her architecture, her love of pictures—is related in one way or another to this one main interest.” Mellon was so skilled that First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy invited her to redesign the White House Rose Garden in 1961.