An American Silver "Japanesque" Tea Caddy, Tiffany & Co., New York, circa 1876

rectangular, applied on one side with two sparrows on a flowering branch above a die-rolled band of cranes, magnolia branches and ferns within angular bands of basketweave, on four scroll supports pierced with hearts, the flat cover with die-rolled basketweave band and spherical finial raised on four supports

some tiny dings to sides, slight wear to high spots on birds, good condition overall
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The engraved inscription on the base reads: "Cornelia P. Martin Sept. 22nd 1876."

Cornelia Sherman Martin (1845?-1920) was the daughter and heiress of Isaac Martin (1817-1881) a wealthy merchant from upstate New York.  On 26 January 1869 she married Bradley Martin (1841-1913), a financier and industrialist from Albany, whom she met while serving as a bridesmaid in the wedding of her friend Emily Vanderbilt to William Sloane.  Martin's family was well-established in the Albany area and travelled in the most fashionable social circles.  The couple, widely known as the Bradley-Martins when written about in society papers, lived at 20-22 West 20^th Street in New York City, where they raised two sons and one daughter. 

 

The marriage of their only daughter, Cornelia, to William George Robert Craven, 4^th Earl of Craven in 1893 at the age of sixteen was sensationalized by the press.  An 11 April 1893 article in the New York Times detailing the couple's bustling schedule of engagement celebrations notes: "Two interesting features of this coming international wedding are the bride's age and her jewels.  Miss Cornelia Martin not long ago passed her sixteenth birthday, although in looks and actions she is two years older.  The venerable grandmother of Lord Craven has given to Miss Martin her ancestral jewels, which are of great value.  At the wedding the bride will wear some of these celebrated jewels." 

 

The Bradley-Martins were known for lavish entertaining, and on 10 February 1897 they hosted a grand masquerade ball at the Waldorf-Astoria in attempts to outshine the ball organized by Alva Vanderbilt four years earlier.  The suggested attire for the Bradley-Martin Ball was the sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and within the costumed crowd there were at least two George Washingtons, three Catherine the Greats, eight Madame de Manintenons and ten Madame de Pompadours.  Mrs. Astor went as Mary Stuart in a blue velvet gown and $200,000 of jewels, but was outdone by the hostess herself, also dressed as Mary Stuart, but in a costume valued at over $400,000.   Mr. Martin was dressed as Louis XV.  Considering herself a philanthropist of sorts Mrs. Martin intentionally sent the invitations only three weeks before the ball to ensure that her guests would not be able to order their costumes from Europe and would thus be forced to patronize local suppliers.  Her plan backfired though as details of the opulent party were chronicled in the papers, and New Yorkers began to criticize the Bradley-Martins and their guests for being excessive in a time economic depression.  The Ball and its extravagant hosts also caught the attention of the New York City tax authority, who filed a suit in court claiming that the Bradley-Martins wealth was higher than they had reported and that the city should collect higher property taxes from them.  The case was eventually dropped and the scandalized couple chose to move to England to be closer to their daughter, the Countess Craven.  Both Cornelia and Bradley Martin died in England.