The Doros Collection: The Art Glass of Louis Comfort Tiffany

Tiffany Studios

Monumental "Millefiore" Vase

Auction Closed

December 8, 12:14 AM GMT

Estimate

50,000 - 70,000 USD

Lot Details

Description

Tiffany Studios

Monumental "Millefiore" Vase

circa 1902

Favrile glass

engraved Louis C. Tiffany R4021

14¼ inches (36.8 cm) high

8½ inches (21.6 cm) diameter

Overall in very good condition. When viewed firsthand, the vase displays stunning sculptural presence. The vase is executed in a cool seafoam green color and is richly decorated with strongly iridized silver leaves and graphic millefiore flowers. The glass is opaque and presents with occasional minor air bubbles, particulate inclusions and surface irregularities, including some air bubbles which are open to the surface, 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 underside of the vase is applied with a Doros Collection accession number. The pontil with a small crack and a loss to the center which is common, inherent to production and only visible when the vase is turned over. A gorgeous, robust work with rich decoration and impressive stature.

The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colors and shades which are different to the lot's actual color and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation. The condition report is a statement of opinion only. For that reason, the condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS ONLINE CONDITION REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE/BUSINESS APPLICABLE TO THE RESPECTIVE SALE.

Sotheby’s New York, November 19, 1983, lot 651

Alexnder Koch, l’Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs Modernes a Turin 1902, Darmstadt, 1903, p. 275 (for the present lot illustrated)
Ray and Lee Grover, Art Glass Nouveau, Rutland, VT, 1967, p. 95, pl. 174 (for a related example numbered R4017)
Hugh McKean, The “Lost” Treasures of Louis Comfort Tiffany, New York, 1980, p. 160, fig. 154 (for the above mentioned related example)
Paul Doros, The Art Glass of Louis Comfort Tiffany, New York, 2013, pp. 47 and 209 (for the present lot illustrated)
Timeless Beauty, The Art of Louis Comfort Tiffany, The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, Atglen, PA, 2016, p. 99 (for the above mentioned related example)

Prima Esposizione Internazionale d'Arte Decorativa Moderna, Turin, 1902

Reaching New Heights –

Monumental Vases

Tiffany Studios did not specifically market large, or what have come to be called Monumental, blown Favrile glass vases. They did, however, want to offer pieces that could compete in scale and visual power with any of the fine arts, including sculptures. These large Favrile vases generally rely upon a relatively conventional form and shape, but the decorations on many of them are incredible. Lot 205, its navy body with a silvery iridescence, is enhanced with twin bands of large iridescent peaked arches intersected by bands of ochre and yellow waves that in turn enclose thin brick-red horizontal lines. The other monumental vase offered (lot 229) is equally exceptional. It is one of about ten made in the series, all with an “R” prefix letter. This example should rightfully be considered the finest of the group, as Tiffany Studios selected it for their award-winning exhibition at the 1902 Prima Esposizione Internazionale d’Arte Decorativa Moderna in Turin, Italy. The opaque dark mint-green body is wonderfully enhanced with large iridescent gold and silver leaves and tangled vines. Interspersed among the foliage are finely crafted creamy white millefiori flowers with gold centers. The vase is to be admired both for its scale as well as its incredible artistry.

- PD