MARK OF TIFFANY & CO., NEW YORK, CIRCA 1878

For the Paris Exposition of 1878, Tiffany & Co. created an interpretation of Japanese aesthetic principles in silver that caused an international sensation and propelled the American firm to the forefront of the market. Edward Moore, director of Tiffany's silver department, rejected the grandiose historical revival styles that were the prevailing style in Europe and instead developed highly original works based on simple, unpretentious, natural subjects. He adopted the Japanese techniques of applying colored alloys and gold to "paint pictures in silver," and this scenic approach is well illustrated on the present water pitcher and matching beakers. He also very ingeniously integrated the form and the ornament, resulting in entirely novel shapes for traditional objects such as coffeepots, pitchers, and candlesticks.