A MIXED-METAL AND SILVER BUD VASE

Details

A MIXED-METAL AND SILVER BUD VASE
MAKER'S MARK OF TIFFANY & CO., NEW YORK, CIRCA 1878, DESIGNED BY EDWARD C. MOORE, PROBABLY FOR THE PARIS EXPOSITION OF 1878

In the Japanese taste, of vase form, with applied band near base, the spot-hammered surface applied with three copper and silver relief panels with Japanesque scenes, applied with silver leaves, a gold butterfly and moth with mokume wings, with engraved trailing tendrils, marked, 4473/360, 237, the rim with French control mark--6 3/8in. high
(gross weight 6oz.)

Literature

Charles H. Carpenter, Jr. and Janet Zapata, The Silver of Tiffany & Co., 1850-1987, Boston, 1987, cat. no. 34, illus. p. 20; drawing illus. p. 21

Exhibited

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, "The Silver of Tiffany & Co., 1850-1987," 1987

Lot Essay

Tiffany's drawing for this vase is dated 1878. The pattern book describes it as "Vase Ten pin shape Intermediate size." At least ten different decorated versions of the Ten pin Vase were made, ranging from $8 to $40 in cost. The present example, with mixed metal decoration, was the most expensive, at $40.

The presence of a French control mark on this vase together with the date of the drawing suggest that this vase was exhibited at the Paris Exposition of 1878.

Photo caption: Tiffany's design for this vase. Copyright © Tiffany and Company, 1992. Not to be published or reproduced without prior permission. No permission for commercial use will be granted except by writtenÿlicense agreement.