Tiffany Studios

Martin Eidelberg, Tiffany Favrile Glass and the Quest of Beauty, New York, 2007, p. 43 (for a related example)

Overall in very good condition. The glass surfaces with some small air bubble inclusions inherent in the making and not visually detracting, which is quite commonly seen in early examples such as this. The stem with a few minor inherent irregularities, including a very slight bulge at the mid point of the stem, and two very small open air bubbles above the foot, all inherent in the making and not visually detracting. The interior of the upper coupe and underside of the foot are beautifully iridized, imparting the vase with strong luminous color. With some small traces of adhesive on the underside of the foot. A beautiful early example from this rare series, displaying well-controlled decoration and rare coloration. When viewing this vase firsthand, the upper coupe is not as white as seen in the catalogue illustration, and displays with a slightly warmer and creamier opalescence to the glass.
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.

Important Tiffany Glass from the Collection of the late Alan Bernstein

Alan Bernstein, a beloved father and successful real estate manager, had a precocious start to his interest in collecting.  Encouraged by his parents, who enjoyed antiquing as a hobby, he cultivated a keen eye for detecting rarity and quality. His collecting began with searching through flea markets before he eventually ascended to purchasing through the preeminent galleries, dealers, and auctions houses of the East Coast. He was in his early thirties when his attention became more focused on Tiffany’s art glass.

The complexity and artistry of each unique work of Tiffany favrile glass resonated with Alan, whose own meticulous nature as a businessman and collector translated into a deep appreciation for masterful craftsmanship.  When his kids would inquire about a certain Tiffany piece, he would ask “what do you like about it?”  He would embellish upon their response with key notes about the color, shape, or intricate designs of the glass to impress the notion that the definition of beauty cannot be limited to a single feature.  As he would say: "one hundred people could find one hundred different aspects of beauty in the same work of art."

His glass collection included examples of almost every technique from Tiffany’s oeuvre, and he exercised patience in his search to find the perfect additions to his collection.  For instance, Alan’s pursuit of a “Lava” vase (lot 10) spanned several years before he discovered a worthy example at auction in 2012 with naturalistic lava drips and rich iridescence, capturing all the best qualities of the highly sought-after technique.  Other highlights from his collection include a deeply sculptural, earth-tone “Agate” vase (lot 4), as well as two extraordinary Paperweight vases—one with luscious, prismatic milliefiori motifs (lot 5), the other with exquisitely carved decoration over dynamic, swirling internal decoration (lot 6).

Alan was a true collector.  He never bought a piece of glass with the intention of selling it at any point in the future—each object was a treasure.  He took a great deal of pride in his Tiffany collection and left a legacy of artistic appreciation to his children.