Tiffany Sterling Silver Renaissance Platter, Paulding Farnham

Large Tiffany & Co. Renaissance Revival Sterling Silver Tray designed by Paulding Farnham (1859-1927), possibly for the St. Louis exhibition of 1904. Oval, with figural angel masks at each end, repousse C-scroll border enclosing a rim with raised clusters of fruit and flowers and a rosette band, and strapwork extending to the center of the tray. Foliate scroll handles. No monograms. 34 1/2" x 25 1/2" (including handles). Stamped en verso "Tiffany & Co. Makers" divided by numbers 15819 and 7043, with C mark for Charles T. Cook, directorship, along with a Fleur di Lis mark. 267.42 troy ounces. For a photo and discussion of an identical (likely this same) tray, ref. Charles and Mary Grace Carpenter, "Tiffany Silver," page 83-84, figure 90. Gilded age designer Paulding Farnham is credited with some of Tiffany's most important pieces, including the Adams gold vase. He trained as a silversmith under Edward C. Moore and also had an independent career as a sculptor. This tray was designed in what Farnham called the "Renaissance" style, incorporating varied motifs from multiple periods. Farnham designed a monumental tea and coffee service in the Renaissance style for the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis, basing the winged figures at the handles on similar figures by Hans Holbein the Younger (1497-1543). Christie's, which on Jan. 17, 1992 (lot 13B) sold all of the pieces to a Farnham Renaissance silver tea/coffee service -except for the tray - reported that five of those pieces were marked with a fleur di lis symbol. The catalog went on to note that Tiffany & Co. marked all silver pieces sent to world's fairs with a special symbol, and a fleur-de-lys was an appropriate symbol of the St. Louis Exhibition (which commemorated the purchase of Louisiana from the French in 1804). Farnham's Renaissance service was so well received at the World's Fair that Tiffany introduced additional hollowware forms and a flatware line in the renowned "Renaissance" pattern the following year.

The estate of a Tennessee doctor.
Condition Report: Center section has scattered areas of tiny spots of discoloration that do not polish away; some areas of wear and scratching, a few tiny dark spots of pitting or inclusions that we have been conservative in our efforts to clean. Otherwise, excellent condition.