Tiffany Studios "Cypriote" Vase

Tiffany Studios
"Cypriote" Vase

circa 1915
Favrile glass
engraved 6024K L.C. Tiffany-Favrile
5¼ in. (13.3 cm) high

Condition Report:
Overall in very good condition. When viewed firsthand, the vase displays a remarkable opalescent surface speckled with artistic swirls of olive green, maroon, teal and chartreuse tones. The vase is further distinguished by the iridescent silver-blue feather plumes marvered to the body. As expected with the “Cypriote” technique, the exterior surfaces are wonderfully irregular and tactile with open air bubbles, particulate inclusions and irregularities which are inherent in the making. The glass surfaces with scattered, very fine and light surface scratches consistent with age and gentle handling. The interior of the vase with a slightly more pronounced semicircular scratch just below the neck measuring approximately 1 in., only visible upon close inspection. The interior of the vase with some traces of light surface soiling. The underside of the vase is applied with a Doros Collection accession number. A visually striking work with daring feather decoration.

Catalogue Note:
Daring Imagination: "Cypriote" Vases

Louis Tiffany’s glasshouse created “Cypriote” glass as early as 1895, only two years after it first opened. By including potassium nitrate with crushed bits of glass and then marvering this combination onto the hot surface of the blown glass, his glassworkers were able to imitate the cratered exterior of the ancient objects discovered in Cyprus almost 20 years earlier.

This example, probably unique, is exceptional for several reasons. First, the milky opalescent body is rarely seen in “Cypriote” examples. The same is true for the superb pock-marked exterior overlay in striking shades of blue, green, red and yellow. Perhaps most unusual is the applied decorative plumage encircling the body. The gaffer wanted to enhance the piece but adding a typical “pulled feather” decoration would have disturbed the beautiful overlay. So, another, riskier technique had to be employed. Irregular and somewhat thick elongated sections of clear glass were decorated with iridescent silver-blue plumes which were then allowed to cool and harden. These sections were then marvered into the body when the glass was still in a viscous state and on the blow pipe. Remarkably, the piece survived the annealing process, a testament to the imagination and daring Tiffany demanded from his glassmakers.

- PD

Provenance:
Lillian Nassau, New York
Sander Davidson, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Sotheby’s New York, May 12, 1984, lot 314