The Doros Collection: The Art Glass of Louis Comfort Tiffany
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
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)
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