Tiffany Studios

Sotheby's New York, December 6, 1997, lot 510
Acquired from the above by the present owner

La Societé Nationale des Beaux-Arts, Paris, 1915

Alastair Duncan, Louis C. Tiffany:  The Garden Museum Collection, Woodbridge, Suffolk, 2004, pp. 258 (for related examples and the original 1913 watercolor "Morning Glories") and 548 (for a period photo showing "Morning Glory" vases at the 1914 Paris Salon)
Martin Eidelberg, Tiffany Favrile Glass and the Quest for Beauty, New York, 2007, p. 68 (for related examples)

Overall in excellent condition. With a few occasional small and minor air bubble inclusions inherent in the making. As is commonly seen the interior rim with some very short, shallow linear tool marks also inherent in the making. The exterior of the vase with a few very minor light surface scratches. The underbase of the vase with a very small paper collection label which appears to have been adhered in the past with glue. The interior is intensely iridized throughout, imparting the vase with a beautiful sense of luminosity which cannot be fully appreciated in the catalogue photography. The artistic execution of the morning glory blossoms and trailing leaves and vines is extraordinary, showing incredible control and precisely rendered details. When viewed in the round, the vase displays a strong artistic composition with fluid movement evenly throughout. An exceptional exhibition-caliber vase.
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.

The present lot is an example of Tiffany Studios' "Morning Glory" glass, a term that refers to the technique and also the type of flower represented.  One of the last glassmaking techniques introduced by Tiffany Studios, it was named after Louis C. Tiffany's famous watercolor of 1913 which served as a design reference for his glassmakers.  This intricate watercolor presented a great challenge to Tiffany glassmakers in translating it into a three dimensional form.  Leslie H. Nash records in his unpublished memoirs that Tiffany Studios' early experiments with this technique "cost about $12,000.00, and about twelve pieces were finally made. The price was $1000.00 each...It was named 'Morning Glory Glass.'  I may say, that no flower that I can think of could offer a more difficult problem."  Fortunately, the studio was able to rise to the challenge to great success.   Tiffany subsequently exhibited his new style of glass at the Paris salons in the years leading up to World War I until 1915.  The present lot is an example of one of several pieces to use this technique that were awarded at these exhibitions.  Tiffany also became one of only two foreign glassmakers to attract critical attention at the Paris salons and his work was acquired directly by more than one European museum.