Say the name Louis Comfort Tiffany and chances are that warm, rich, gem-coloured, stained-glass lampshades come to mind. These elaborate and highly desirable pieces certainly represent this artist’s incontrovertible legacy to American decorative arts. Yet much like René-Jules Lalique – whose successful career as a glassmaker overshadowed his original genius as a goldsmith and jeweller – Louis Comfort Tiffany also created evocative pieces that have come to define American Art Nouveau jewellery. Tiffany found inspiration in nature, and while studying the structure of plants and insects – wild flowers, vines, as well as the intricately veined gossamer wings of dragonflies – he also explored enamels with the many skilled artisans in his studio. Today, these jewels are astonishingly rare, so the appearance of multiple superb examples immediately captures the imagination. Comprising brooches, earrings and necklaces, Sotheby’s April offering showcases the wide palette of Tiffany’s gemstones – his favourite being black opal. Click ahead for twelve of these exceptional jewels. –Vivienne Becker
Magnificent Jewels
25 April | New York