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Details
A SPECTACULAR BLACK OPAL, DEMANTOID GARNET, SAPPHIRE AND ENAMEL NECKLACE, LOUIS COMFORT TIFFANY FOR TIFFANY & CO.
set with a black opal measuring approximately 16.10 x 17.40 mm, within a circular-cut demantoid garnet, sapphire and gold bead scroll mount, enhanced by a circular-cut demantoid garnet floret, suspending a black opal pendant measuring approximately 30.15 x 19.50 mm, within a textured gold foliate mount, the reverse of green, blue and orange enamel foliate design, joined to a three-row gold rope chain, with clasp and enhancers of similar motif (chains of later addition), circa 1915-1920--16 1/2in. long
signed Tiffany & Co.
Louis Comfort Tiffany turned to the arts of the Near East for inspiration, re-interpreting decorative motifs and forms to mirror his aesthetic taste. The inventory of Laurelton Hall, dating to 1919, records five pieces of 'Hindoo' origin, including a necklace of gold and enamel with a silk cord band that may have served as inspiration for the present lot. The shape of the pendant on this necklace is based on Indian lotus or snakehead-shaped ornaments, worn on the forehead, with the suspended black opal replacing the gem-set fringe. The exquisitely enameled foliate open work on the reverse is similar in conception to the backs of these ornaments which are chased with a foliate scroll motif. The pendant was originally suspended from silk cords in a similar manner to a necklace, illustrated in Janet Zapata's book The Jewelry and Enamels of Louis Comfort Tiffany, p. 126, pl. 71, which also has gem-set and enameled sides.
set with a black opal measuring approximately 16.10 x 17.40 mm, within a circular-cut demantoid garnet, sapphire and gold bead scroll mount, enhanced by a circular-cut demantoid garnet floret, suspending a black opal pendant measuring approximately 30.15 x 19.50 mm, within a textured gold foliate mount, the reverse of green, blue and orange enamel foliate design, joined to a three-row gold rope chain, with clasp and enhancers of similar motif (chains of later addition), circa 1915-1920--16 1/2in. long
signed Tiffany & Co.
Louis Comfort Tiffany turned to the arts of the Near East for inspiration, re-interpreting decorative motifs and forms to mirror his aesthetic taste. The inventory of Laurelton Hall, dating to 1919, records five pieces of 'Hindoo' origin, including a necklace of gold and enamel with a silk cord band that may have served as inspiration for the present lot. The shape of the pendant on this necklace is based on Indian lotus or snakehead-shaped ornaments, worn on the forehead, with the suspended black opal replacing the gem-set fringe. The exquisitely enameled foliate open work on the reverse is similar in conception to the backs of these ornaments which are chased with a foliate scroll motif. The pendant was originally suspended from silk cords in a similar manner to a necklace, illustrated in Janet Zapata's book The Jewelry and Enamels of Louis Comfort Tiffany, p. 126, pl. 71, which also has gem-set and enameled sides.
Provenance
Purchased directly from Tiffany & Co. and given by the Present Owner's Maternal Grandfather to his Grandmother