Tiffany Studios and J.E. Caldwell

The Highest Point of His Art –

The “Peacock” Motif

The peacock was one of Louis C. Tiffany’s favorite decorative motifs, and he incorporated it into the full range of his work, from leaded glass windows to jewelry. He was obviously intrigued by the vivid iridescent blue, purple and green sheen of the bird’s feathers. The peacock was also particularly well suited to church decorations. It was a symbol of immortality to the ancient Romans, as they believed its flesh did not decay after death. The early Christians readily adapted this symbolism. To them, the peacock’s shedding of its feathers each year and growing newer, more resplendent plumage represented the resurrection of Christ.

Peacock-decorated Favrile vases were first displayed at the company’s Fourth Avenue showrooms in the early spring of 1897. An article in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle at the time declared:

There is now on exhibition at the Tiffany Studios, 333 Fourth Avenue, New York, a most remarkable collection of blown glass, the latest efforts of Mr. Louis C. Tiffany. The beauty and gorgeousness of the peacock suggested to him that he might obtain in Favrile glass similar color effects. After a series of experiments, he has succeeded in producing numbers of vases and plaques, where the color motive, and in some cases the form as well, of the peacock has been carried out, not in a purely realistic manner, but with just enough realism to at once bring to the mind the brilliancy and color of its plumage… It would seem as if Mr. Tiffany in this Peacock Favrile glass has reached the highest point of his art.

The timing of the exhibition is another indication of Tiffany’s marketing acumen. Several New York City newspapers, probably given the information by Tiffany himself, reminded the public that the peacock was symbolic of Christ’s resurrection, and these vases would make an ideal gift for Easter.

This scent bottle was made about the time of that exhibition and beautifully demonstrates exactly why the Daily Eagle and other critics were so captivated. The striking “eyes” of concentric blue and gold ovals encircle the double waisted body of transparent green-tinted glass and are bordered by bright brick-red striated feathers. The exterior was finally enhanced with a delicate multi-hued iridescence.

The ornate sterling silver collar, with its flame-like design, and the Art Nouveau-inspired stopper, are brilliant decorative elements. They were specially commissioned from J.E. Caldwell & Company, a major Philadelphia-based jewelry merchant and silversmith, who was later Tiffany Studios’ sole retailer in that city.

- PD