Water Pitcher, Circa 1880

Executed under the directorship of Edward C. Moore, this pitcher is an example the 'Japanesque' forms introduced to Tiffany & Co. silver beginning around 1873. Moore was a pioneer collector of Meiji artwork, and he adopted the Japanese metalworkers' emphasis on motifs from nature, asymmetry, and non-repetitive patterns, while introducing a distinctive effect by spot-hammering and acid-etching the silver surface to emphasize the handwork lavished on these objects. Many of these 'Japanesque" works were exhibited by Tiffany & Co. at the 1878 Paris Exposition, which received great international acclaim. Another pitcher with similar motifs rendered in copper and brass was sold at Christie's, New York, 20 January 2023, lot 581.