Louis Comfort Tiffany Covered Box
Louis Comfort Tiffany
Covered Box
circa 1907
executed by Tiffany & Co., New York
sterling silver, cloisonné enamel, opal, turquoise
impressed TIFFANY & CO/MAKERS 2644/STERLING SILVER/925-1000/M
1½ x 5 x 3 in. (3.8 x 12.7 x 7.6 cm)
Condition Report:
Overall in very good condition. The box features an incredibly vibrant green and blue enameled lid inset with opal and turquoise cabochons in delicate floret patterns. The enamel is in very good stable condition with occasional minor surface irregularities inherent to the application and light surface wear consistent with age and gentle handling. The outer perimeter of the blue border presents with slightly more pronounced wear and minor abrasions to the enamel revealing the undersurface, the largest measuring approximately 1⅛ in. and not visually distracting from the detailed design. All of the cabochon jewels appear original and undisturbed. The opals display a wonderful multicolored shimmer when viewed firsthand. One small circular opal with an extremely minute loss measuring approximately 1/16 in., only visible upon close inspection. The silver is in overall very good condition with some occasional minor surface scratches, discolorations and light tarnish consistent with age and gentle handling. The box with traces of light surface soiling and polish residue concentrated to the interior and recessed contours of the lid. An exquisite box exemplifying the very best work by Louis Comfort Tiffany for Tiffany & Company.
Catalogue Note:
Father and Son: Louis C. Tiffany at Tiffany & Company
Charles Lewis Tiffany died on February 18, 1902 at the age of ninety. A month later, Louis Tiffany was elected to serve as Tiffany & Company’s Second Vice-President and shortly thereafter was appointed as the firm’s Art Director. Under Louis Tiffany’s leadership, and with the significant later assistance of Julia Munson and then Meta Overbeck, a series of beautiful jewelry incorporating semi-precious gems, enameled highlights and motifs heavily influenced by nature were produced.
The covered box offered here is a very rare example of Tiffany & Company silver with a jewel-like embellishment designed by Louis Tiffany. The scalloped body has a matching hinged cover that is ornately decorated with a stylized floral motif comprised of opal and turquoise cabochons set among a beaded curvilinear framework on a complimentary green and turquoise cloisonné enamel ground.
A Tiffany & Company archival photograph of the box is labeled J325, indicating it was designed in late 1906-early 1907. Its original owner was Major Maximillian “Max” Charles Fleischmann (1877-1951), an heir to the Fleischmann’s Yeast and Gin fortunes. A veteran of the Spanish-American War, he was a co-owner of the Cincinnati Reds baseball team as well as being a devoted sportsman, yachtsman, outdoorsman, explorer and philanthropist.
- PD
Provenance:
Max C. Fleischmann
Christie’s East, New York, October 17, 1995, lot 72
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Louis Comfort Tiffany
Covered Box
circa 1907
executed by Tiffany & Co., New York
sterling silver, cloisonné enamel, opal, turquoise
impressed TIFFANY & CO/MAKERS 2644/STERLING SILVER/925-1000/M
1½ x 5 x 3 in. (3.8 x 12.7 x 7.6 cm)
Condition Report:
Overall in very good condition. The box features an incredibly vibrant green and blue enameled lid inset with opal and turquoise cabochons in delicate floret patterns. The enamel is in very good stable condition with occasional minor surface irregularities inherent to the application and light surface wear consistent with age and gentle handling. The outer perimeter of the blue border presents with slightly more pronounced wear and minor abrasions to the enamel revealing the undersurface, the largest measuring approximately 1⅛ in. and not visually distracting from the detailed design. All of the cabochon jewels appear original and undisturbed. The opals display a wonderful multicolored shimmer when viewed firsthand. One small circular opal with an extremely minute loss measuring approximately 1/16 in., only visible upon close inspection. The silver is in overall very good condition with some occasional minor surface scratches, discolorations and light tarnish consistent with age and gentle handling. The box with traces of light surface soiling and polish residue concentrated to the interior and recessed contours of the lid. An exquisite box exemplifying the very best work by Louis Comfort Tiffany for Tiffany & Company.
Catalogue Note:
Father and Son: Louis C. Tiffany at Tiffany & Company
Charles Lewis Tiffany died on February 18, 1902 at the age of ninety. A month later, Louis Tiffany was elected to serve as Tiffany & Company’s Second Vice-President and shortly thereafter was appointed as the firm’s Art Director. Under Louis Tiffany’s leadership, and with the significant later assistance of Julia Munson and then Meta Overbeck, a series of beautiful jewelry incorporating semi-precious gems, enameled highlights and motifs heavily influenced by nature were produced.
The covered box offered here is a very rare example of Tiffany & Company silver with a jewel-like embellishment designed by Louis Tiffany. The scalloped body has a matching hinged cover that is ornately decorated with a stylized floral motif comprised of opal and turquoise cabochons set among a beaded curvilinear framework on a complimentary green and turquoise cloisonné enamel ground.
A Tiffany & Company archival photograph of the box is labeled J325, indicating it was designed in late 1906-early 1907. Its original owner was Major Maximillian “Max” Charles Fleischmann (1877-1951), an heir to the Fleischmann’s Yeast and Gin fortunes. A veteran of the Spanish-American War, he was a co-owner of the Cincinnati Reds baseball team as well as being a devoted sportsman, yachtsman, outdoorsman, explorer and philanthropist.
- PD
Provenance:
Max C. Fleischmann
Christie’s East, New York, October 17, 1995, lot 72
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