Tiffany Studios and Tiffany & Co. Inkstand

Tiffany Studios and Tiffany & Co.
Inkstand

circa 1903
Favrile glass, sterling silver
engraved L.C.T./F825
lid monogrammed EW, impressed STERLING/12071 and inscribed T127/E153
5½ in. (14 cm) high
7 in. (17.8 cm) diameter

Condition Report:
Overall in very good condition. When viewed firsthand, the inkstand displays an iridized golden yellow coloration with a robust scalloped form, perfectly complemented by the ribbed and dimpled design of the silver lid. 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 original silver collar and lid are in overall very good condition with some occasional minor surface scratches, discolorations and light tarnish consistent with age and gentle handling. The green iridized interior of the inkstand with traces of light surface soiling. The inkstand is offered together with an original inkwell. The underside of the inkstand is applied with a Doros Collection accession number.

Catalogue Note:
The relationship between Louis Comfort Tiffany and his father, Charles Lewis Tiffany, as well as that of the two companies each man headed, was complex and not easily defined. Charles was likely disappointed that Louis decided to make his living as an artist and interior decorator instead of joining Tiffany & Company, the family business. Charles, however, was responsible for persuading many of his wealthy clients to hire Louis to decorate their mansions and the churches they attended. In June 1881, Louis, at Charles’ suggestion, was elected a director of the Tiffany & Company’s Board of Trustees. Also, Tiffany & Company had its own lucrative ecclesiastical department, yet Charles, “by mutual agreement,” transferred the department and all its contracted business to the Tiffany Glass Company in October 1891. Furthermore, some of Charles’ friends were the initial investors in the Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company and Tiffany & Company was the only enterprise in New York City, besides Tiffany Studios, permitted to retail the diverse products manufactured by Louis’ various firms.

Tiffany & Company, in addition to marketing Favrile glass objects, purchased approximately 200 pieces between 1897 and 1909 to which they designed and added custom-made silver, gilt silver or gold mounts. This inkstand likely comes from a third series of the silversmith’s production, created around 1900, with the silver mounts designed by John T. Curran, Tiffany & Company’s head silver designer at the time. Curran favored scrolled motifs, as demonstrated by the silver collar on the shoulder, and the cushioned and dimpled hinged cover artfully mimics the elephant-foot shape of the body.

- PD

Provenance:
Richard A. Bourne, Hyannis, Massachusetts, December 15, 1987, lot 304