Lot 146
146
Property of THE MASTERS SCHOOL
A TWO-HANDLED SILVER CENTERPIECE BOWL, maker's mark of Tiffany & Co., pattern no. 6344, order no. 4987, circa 1881--1887, shallow circular, the center engraved with script foliate initial ?J, the short concave straight sides applied with cast lush fruited undulating vine, the upcurved reeded handles issuing from bearded bacchic masks, the rim base with three cut-outs to fit the pins on the molded oblong base, the upper body to the base applied with bold cast fruited grapevine, quartered below by openwork diaperwork reserves, with foliate shell corner supports with applied paired chrysanthmums between--marked under base of bowl, base unmarked, lightly scratched under one foot 129/10--length over handles 17½in. (44.4cm.), 128oz.

Details
A TWO-HANDLED SILVER CENTERPIECE BOWL, maker's mark of Tiffany & Co., pattern no. 6344, order no. 4987, circa 1881--1887, shallow circular, the center engraved with script foliate initial ?J, the short concave straight sides applied with cast lush fruited undulating vine, the upcurved reeded handles issuing from bearded bacchic masks, the rim base with three cut-outs to fit the pins on the molded oblong base, the upper body to the base applied with bold cast fruited grapevine, quartered below by openwork diaperwork reserves, with foliate shell corner supports with applied paired chrysanthmums between--marked under base of bowl, base unmarked, lightly scratched under one foot 129/10--length over handles 17½in. (44.4cm.), 128oz.
Provenance
The Masters School
Originally The Masters School was founded in 1877 as a school for girls by Eliza Bailey Masters and her sister Sallie. It was located on Clinton Avenue in Dobbs Ferry. A wealthy inventor, and real estate investor, James Jennings McComb, moved his home closer there so that his three daughters could attend. His residence was named Park Cottage, which was later moved nearby, and now houses the Head of the School. The huge French chateauesque structure, Estherwood (named after his wife) was then constructed. It was designed by the architectural firm of Buchman & Deisler, and was known to be one of the handsomest houses on the Hudson River. The mansion was built in 1894-1895, standing three-and-one-half stories high, costing $300,000 to build. It is noted for the use of the white pressed brick with Jonesville granite trim and terra cotta detailing. The structure boasts an octagonal library paneled in Honduras mohogany. Estherwood features mosaic floors, stained glass sky-lights, and vaulted tile ceilings. A central attraction of the mansion is a great hall two stories high, onto which all rooms on the first two floors open. It is surrounded by a porte cochere and a veranda. It is now a co-educational boarding or day school, with a much expanded campus.

McComb died in 1901. In 1910, The Masters School purchased Estherwood from his estate and for many years used it as a dormitory. It is still an integral part of the school, left much in its original condition.

Lot Essay

The Tiffany & Co. Pattern Book lists this as "CentrePiece Grape border". The manufacturing costs ranged from $235 to $275. It is interesting to note on the Archival drawing that there is written "Lock FooT" (stet). Also indicated are:
4 FEET No. 6842.
4 GROUP 2 LEAVES from BORDER No 1572
2 BUNCHES OF GRAPES " 2066
CASTINGS 4 " " " " 2067
6 PIECES OF BORDER " 3553
2 SIDE HANDLES " 3293

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