Tiffany Studios

John Loring, Louis Comfort Tiffany at Tiffany & Co., New York, 2002, p. 160 (for the present lot illustrated)
Alastair Duncan, Louis C. Tiffany: The Garden Museum Collection, Woodbridge, Suffolk, 2004, p. 264 (for related examples)
Alice Cooney Freylinghuysen, Louis Comfort Tiffany and Laurelton Hall, New Haven, 2006, p. 124 (for a related vase and sketch from the Leslie H. Nash notebook)

Overall in very good condition. With some occasional small and minute air bubble and particulate inclusions inherent in the making. With one minute burst air bubble, adjacent to a small particulate inclusion, on the top portion of the bowl, inherent in the making. There is a minor pocket of air at the junction of the bowl and column, inherent in the making and not at all detractive from the decorative scheme. The vase exterior, upper bowl and underbase with some very fine and light surface scratches. With two small concentrated areas of fine surface scratches to the outermost contour of the upper bowl, approximately 1 and 2 inches below the top rim respectively. The vase presents with impressive scale and great visual depth and movement. The decoration imparts a strong aquatic sensibility, as if the lily pads are floating weightlessly on the surface of the water beneath the rhythmic composition of the vines. An outstanding and highly artistic example of Tiffany's rare Aquamarine technique. When viewing this vase firsthand, the colors are slightly richer and more nuanced than seen in the catalogue photography, which is slightly oversaturated. -----
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.

At the direction of Louis C. Tiffany, glassworker Arthur Saunders visited the Bahamas to collect inspiration for an aquatic-themed vase design.  In 1912, drawing from his experience exploring tropical waters by glass-bottomed boat, he developed the “Aquamarine” series.  The design incorporated various aquatic motifs within an encasement of transparent, blueish-green tinted glass.  The technique employed in creating this model was extremely labor-intensive which explains why so few were produced. The internal decorations make this exceptional “Aquamarine” highly sculptural and successfully capture the essence of an ethereal underwater landscape.