Tiffany & Co. Art Nouveau Sterling Silver and Engraved Glass Inkwell
About the Item
- Creator:Tiffany & Co. (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 4.75 in (12.07 cm)Diameter: 6 in (15.24 cm)
- Style:Art Nouveau (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1892-1902
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:
Tiffany & Co.
Tiffany & Co. is one of the most prominent purveyors of luxury goods in the United States, and has long been an important arbiter of style in the design of diamond engagement rings. A young Franklin Delano Roosevelt proposed to his future wife, Eleanor, with a Tiffany ring in 1904. Vanderbilts, Whitneys, Astors and members of the Russian imperial family all wore Tiffany & Co. jewels. And Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis preferred Tiffany china for state dinners at the White House.
Although synonymous with luxury today, the firm started out rather modestly. Charles Lewis Tiffany and John B. Young founded it in Connecticut as a “stationery and fancy goods emporium” in 1837, at a time when European imports still dominated the nascent American luxury market. In 1853, Charles Tiffany — who in 1845 had launched the company’s famed catalog, the Blue Book, and with it, the firm’s signature robin’s-egg blue, which he chose for the cover — shifted the focus to fine jewelry. In 1868, Tiffany & Co. gained international recognition when it became the first U.S. firm to win an award for excellence in silverware at the Exposition Universelle in Paris. From then on, it belonged to the pantheon of American luxury brands.
At the start of the Gilded Age, in 1870, Tiffany & Co. opened its flagship store, described as a "palace of jewels" by the New York Times, at 15 Union Square West in Manhattan. Throughout this period, its designs for silver tableware, ceremonial silver, flatware and jewelry were highly sought-after indicators of status and taste. They also won the firm numerous accolades, including the grand prize for silverware at the Paris Exposition of 1878. Among the firm’s glittering creations from this time are masterworks of Art Nouveau jewelry, such as this delicate aquamarine necklace and this lavish plique-à-jour peridot and gold necklace, both circa 1900.
When Charles Lewis Tiffany died, in 1902, his son Louis Comfort Tiffany became the firm’s design director. Under his leadership, the Tiffany silver studio was a de facto design school for apprentice silversmiths, who worked alongside head artisan Edward C. Moore. The firm produced distinctive objects inspired by Japanese art and design, North American plants and flowers, and Native American patterns and crafts, adding aesthetic diversity to Tiffany & Co.’s distinguished repertoire.
Tiffany is also closely associated with diamonds, even lending its name to one particularly rare and exceptional yellow stone. The firm bought the Tiffany diamond in its raw state from the Kimberley mines of South Africa in 1878. Cut to create a 128.54-carat gem with an unprecedented 82 facets, it is one of the most spectacular examples of a yellow diamond in the world. In a broader sense, Tiffany & Co. helped put diamonds on the map in 1886 by introducing the American marketplace to the solitaire diamond design, which is still among the most popular engagement-ring styles. The trademark Tiffany® Setting raises the stone above the band on six prongs, allowing its facets to catch the light. A lovely recent example is this circa-2000 platinum engagement ring. Displaying a different design and aesthetic (but equally chic) is this exquisite diamond and ruby ring from the 1930s.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- American Art Nouveau Sterling Silver and Glass Inkwell by GorhamBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in New York, NYArt Nouveau glass and sterling silver inkwell. Made by Gorham in Providence. Rectilinear clear glass block bulbous well. Sides have carved ornament: Fluid scrollwork and stylized flo...Category
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Antique French Art Nouveau Silver & Enamel InkwellLocated in New York, NYArt Nouveau inkwell. Made by Emile Langlois in Paris, ca 1920. Hemispheric clear glass bowl with garland acid-etched to sides and diaper cut to underside. Neck collar 950 silver as i...Category
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
MaterialsSilver, Enamel
- Antique American Art Nouveau Silver Overlay InkwellLocated in New York, NYAmerican Art Nouveau inkwell with engraved silver overlay, circa 1886. Bellied and faceted, short neck in silver collar and hinged and faceted silver cover. Overlay in form of dense ...Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
MaterialsSilver
- Large Tiffany Japonesque Applied Sterling Silver Inkwell with BeetleBy Tiffany & Co.Located in New York, NYJaponesque sterling silver inkwell. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1882. Drum form with curved shoulder, short neck, and hinged and cork-lined bayonet cover. Leaves and tendri...Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Japonisme Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Antique Kerr American Art Nouveau Sterling Silver BookmarkBy William B. Kerr & Co.Located in New York, NYTurn of the century Art Nouveau sterling silver bookmark. Made by William B. Kerr in Newark. Dagger blade engraved with interlaced script mono...Category
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Antique American Modern Sterling Silver and Glass Inkwell on StandLocated in New York, NYModern sterling silver and glass inkwell on stand, circa 1920. Lobed melon-form glass bowl; sterling silver cover domed with overlapping ovoid ring finial. stand has well and large l...Category
Early 20th Century American Modern Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Sterling Silver Art Nouveau InkwellLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis sterling silver inkwell conjures memories of a time when letter writing was an art and people waited for letters from loved ones with anticipation....Category
Antique 1890s American Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
MaterialsCrystal, Sterling Silver
- Sterling Silver Globe Inkwell Centerpiece by Tiffany & Co.By Tiffany & Co.Located in New Orleans, LAThis superb inkwell centerpiece dating to the Edwardian era was designed by the legendary Tiffany & Co. Crafted from sterling silver and bronze, this stunning inkwell boasts a comman...Category
Early 20th Century American Edwardian Inkwells
MaterialsSterling Silver, Bronze
- Asprey & Co. Ltd Antique Cut Glass and Sterling Silver Desk InkwellBy Asprey International LimitedLocated in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon TyneAn exceptional, fine and impressive, large antique George V cut-glass and English sterling silver mounted desk inkwell made by Asprey & Co; part of our antique silver and glassware collection. This fine antique George V cut glass and English sterling silver mounted desk inkwell has a plain cuboid form with rounded corners. The neck of the antique glass inkwell is encircled with an impressive silver mount and fitted with a compressed circular hinged hallmarked sterling silver cover. The cover opens to reveal the removable glass ink liner. The interior of the cover retains the original gilt interior. The impressive glass body of this inkwell is embellished with hobnail style deep cut glass ornamentation to the underside. This fine example of antique silverware has been crafted by the renowned London silversmiths Asprey & Co Ltd. Dimensions: Height to top of cover 10cm/3.9" Width 11.3cm/4.4" square Diameter of liner 2.5cm/1" Height of liner 2.8cm/1.1" Condition: This antique glass inkwell is an exceptional gauge of silver, exceptional quality and in exceptional condition. The inkwell has been professionally polished and is in presentation condition. The glass is in perfect condition. Full hallmarks struck to the surface of the mount have wear but remain legible. The part hallmarks to the interior of the cover are all very clear. Maker: Asprey & Co Ltd Date: 1921 Origin: London, England Video: A video of this fine piece is available upon request. Reflections in photographs may detract from the true representation of this example of antique glassware...Category
Vintage 1920s English Other Sterling Silver
MaterialsSilver, Sterling Silver
- Walker & Hall Antique Art Deco Sterling Silver InkwellBy Walker & HallLocated in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon TyneAn exceptional, fine and impressive antique George V English sterling silver and glass inkwell made by Walker and Hall, part of our antique silver and glassware collection. This exceptional antique George V English sterling silver inkwell has a hexagonal shaped, waisted form. The shaped surface of this impressive antique inkwell is plain and unembellished, with applied iconic Art Deco style tiered designs to the either side of the base. The elevated anterior edge of the base composes a pen receiver. This Walker and Hall inkwell is fitted with an impressive flat topped hinged hallmarked sterling silver cover. The cover opens to reveal a sunken well and removable glass ink liner. The underside of the inkwell is fitted with the original wood base. Condition This antique Walker...Category
Vintage 1930s British Art Deco Inkwells
MaterialsSilver, Sterling Silver
- Sheffield 1891 Sterling Silver Tabletop Double Glass InkwellLocated in New York, NYSterling silver tabletop double inkwell with aquatic and wavy pattern. Two glass inkwells with sterling silver tops. Maker JJ, made in Sheffield, England in 1891. A great gift and ad...Category
Antique 1890s English Sterling Silver
MaterialsSilver, Sterling Silver
- Unusual Art Deco Sterling Silver and Black Onyx-Mounted Hinged Crystal InkwellLocated in New York, NYUnusual, sterling silver and black onyx-mounted hinged crystal inkwell, American, circa 1920s-1930s. 12-sided, faceted, clear crystal lid is mounted by a 12-sided piece of black onyx...Category
Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Sterling Silver
MaterialsCrystal, Onyx, Sterling Silver
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
The Sparkling Legacy of Tiffany & Co. Explained, One Jewel at a Time
A gorgeous new book celebrates — and memorializes — the iconic jeweler’s rich heritage.
15 Scintillating Jewelry Watches to Elevate Your Holiday Style
Watchmakers have tucked their movements into all manner of precious baubles, from lapel pins to cocktail rings. The result is dazzling, wearable art that will get you to the party on time.