Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Water Pitcher (Est. $6,000 – 9,000). The Indian-inspired motifs in this circa 1874 pitcher, designed by James H. Whitehouse, demonstrates Tiffany’s budding interest in exotic expressions of design and showcases the firms exceptionally fine silver craftsmanship.
Rago Auctions in Lambertville will host a sale of fine, antique, and modern silver on Oct. 18, including works by Tiffany & Co., Georg Jensen, Reed & Barton, and Gorham.
Included in the auction is a single-owner collection of over 60 lots of fine silver from a private Canadian collection.
The collection is particularly rich in works by Tiffany & Co., the “breadth of which demonstrates the diversity of designs from what is arguably the most important American silver firm,” according to Rago.
“The pieces on offer speak to the varied design influences of Tiffany under the creative direction of Edward C. Moore and Paulding Farnham. These men, alongside the other exceptional designers employed by Tiffany, drew upon myriad influences including classical, Renaissance, Japanese and Indian language to create exceptional works that propelled Tiffany to world-wide acclaim during the latter part of the 19th and early 20th century.”
Some highlights from the single-owner collection:
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Flask w/ Grasshopper and Bee (Est. $3,000 – 5,000). Produced circa 1883-91, this flask is an expression of the Japanese influence championed by Edward C. Moore. This flask features a hammered surface typical of Tiffany’s work in the Japanese taste. The subject matter, that of a grasshopper and bee, is a further nod to Japanese artistic traditions wherein insects are a common motif. Designed by Charles Osborne, the exceptional workmanship of the flask extends to the stopper which sports Osborne’s characteristic pearling decoration.
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Water Pitcher w/ Griffins (Est. $3,000 – 5,000). This model was first exhibited at the 1867 Paris Exposition and was shortly thereafter copied by English firm Elkington – a testament to Tiffany’s growing influence on International design. Tiffany continued to actively promote their works at international exhibitions throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, garnering praise for their innovative designs.
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Ewer (Est. $12,000 -15,000). This exceptional Roman-patterned ewer, produced between 1891-1902, reflects Tiffany’s return to a more classical design sensibility following the intoxicating influence of exoticism.
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