Tiffany Studios Yellow Paperweight Vase

Tiffany Studios
Yellow Paperweight Vase

circa 1910
Favrile glass
with original liner engraved L.C.T. Y8644
6½ in. (16.5 cm) high

Condition Report:
Overall in very good condition. When viewed firsthand, the vase displays a butterscotch yellow body encasing bright golden yellow petals and streaming olive green vines. The vase is offered together with an original Favrile glass liner with jewel tone iridescence. The glass presents with occasional minor air bubbles, particulate inclusions and surface irregularities which are inherent in the making and not visually distracting. The glass surfaces throughout with scattered, very fine and light surface scratches consistent with age and gentle handling. The base of the vase with a factory-made aperture intentional to production. The interior of the collar is applied with an old sticker, not visually distracting and which may be sensitively removed at the buyer’s discretion. The interior of the vase with scattered red spotting, inherent in the sprayed application of the iridescence, and traces of light surface soiling. The undersides of the vase and liner are each applied with a Doros Collection accession number.

Catalogue Note:
In the course of examining Tiffany vases, some are occasionally found with a drilled hole so that they could be converted into lamp bases. This vase, as well as lots 326, 329 and 351, however, each have a factory-made hole in the center of the base. These holes were produced by pushing a wet wooden stick through the bottom of the vase while it was still on the blow pipe. The resulting aperture was then introduced to the furnace’s glory hole, where any sharp edges were smoothed.

There are two theories why some Favrile vases were intentionally produced with holes. One is that they were intended for display at Tiffany’s authorized retailers throughout the country. The vases could be placed on shelves fitted with wooden pegs that would prevent them from being accidentally knocked over and damaged. Another, and more likely, possibility stems from the fact that Favrile glass is susceptible to slight decay, known as crizzling, if it comes in contact with water for an extended period. If a customer actually wanted to use a Favrile vase to hold flowers, a relatively inexpensive iridescent gold Favrile glass liner, such as the ones included with lots 327 and 329, could be purchased and inserted. In that way, any water that accidentally spilled would drain through the hole in the base and save the vase from suffering any ill-effects.

- PD

Provenance:
Christie’s East, New York, December 15, 1983, lot 417