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Lot Essay
Paulding Farnham, one of Tiffany's most outstanding designers, conceived of these candelabra as part of a grand Italian Renaissance silver-gilt dessert service for the Paris Exposition of 1900. Under Farnham's direction, Tiffany's eclectic silver at the 1900 fair drew inspiration from Italian Renaissance, Russian, Byzantine, Burmese, American Indian, Pompeian, Viking and Egyptian designs.
The Italian Renaissance service included candelabra, candlesticks and a centerpiece, an after-dinner coffee set, fruit and ice cream dishes, dessert plates, finger bowls, compotiers, and a dessert flatware service. The service was apparently retailed shortly after the 1901 Buffalo Exposition, where it was also displayed. Christie's has sold many pieces from the service, including: four candlesticks, 18 June 1998, lot 59; a pair of silver-gilt jardinieres and a set of four sweetmeat dishes, 18 and 19 January 2007, lots 200 and 201; a coffee pot, 17 January 2008, lot 42; and twelve cups and saucers, a cream jug and sugar bowl, 19 May 2005, lot 23. For a discussion of this service, see Janet Zapata, "The Rediscovery of Paulding Farnham, Tiffany's Designer Extraordinaire Part II: Silver," The Magazine Antiques, April 1991, pp. 718-729.
The Italian Renaissance service included candelabra, candlesticks and a centerpiece, an after-dinner coffee set, fruit and ice cream dishes, dessert plates, finger bowls, compotiers, and a dessert flatware service. The service was apparently retailed shortly after the 1901 Buffalo Exposition, where it was also displayed. Christie's has sold many pieces from the service, including: four candlesticks, 18 June 1998, lot 59; a pair of silver-gilt jardinieres and a set of four sweetmeat dishes, 18 and 19 January 2007, lots 200 and 201; a coffee pot, 17 January 2008, lot 42; and twelve cups and saucers, a cream jug and sugar bowl, 19 May 2005, lot 23. For a discussion of this service, see Janet Zapata, "The Rediscovery of Paulding Farnham, Tiffany's Designer Extraordinaire Part II: Silver," The Magazine Antiques, April 1991, pp. 718-729.