TIFFANY STUDIOS | “Cypriote” Vase

Benedict Silverman Collection, New York
Private American Collection
Christie’s New York, December 9, 2014, lot 809
Acquired from the above by the present owner

Alastair Duncan, Fin de Siecle: Masterpieces from the Silverman Collection, New York, 1989, p. 54 (for the present lot illustrated and a related example)

Overall very good condition. The vase is decorated with an intensely iridized network of drips punctuated by large abstract floral motifs against a variegated ground of cream and white. As expected with the Cypriote technique, the exterior surfaces are wonderfully irregular and tactile showing some surface irregularities and open air bubbles, all inherent in the making and decorative technique. The exterior is brilliantly iridized, displaying a variety of vibrant lavender, blue, aqua, and golden tones. The upper edge of the rim with a few extremely minute surface irregularities, not visually detractive. When viewed in person, the coloration of this vase shows far greater nuance and subtleties, and is slightly less red than seen in the catalogue illustrations. A superb example of the Cypriote technique displaying impressive scale and outstanding decoration.
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.

In 1877, the Metropolitan Museum of Art purchased, for $60,000 in gold, nearly 22,000 objects discovered and removed from Cyprus by “General” Luigi di Cesnola, the United States consul to that country from 1865 to 1877. Americans were fascinated by the collection, much of which consisted of iridized and pock-marked ancient glass. Its impact on Louis C. Tiffany was twofold: it reinforced his desire to improve and master artificial iridescence on glass and also eventually led to his glasshouse’s production of a type of glass known today as “Cypriote.”

Iridescent vases with pitted surfaces were made by Tiffany’s glasshouse as early as 1895. Although originally thought to have been made solely by rolling broken bits of glass into the hot gather on a blowpipe, it is now evident that potassium nitrate also played an important role. It was this chemical, when mixed with the small glass shards, that bubbled and burst due to the heat of the glass on the blowpipe, creating the random oval pitting that is the primary characteristic of “Cypriote” vases.

This vase is an early example and clearly demonstrates the incredible skills of the gaffer, or head glassblower, and his team.  The transparent yellow body was cased with a thin outer layer of white. Over that, large sections of irregularly shaped yellow and blue glass, and a large amount of potassium nitrate, were marvered into the outer layer. The gaffer expanded the vase with a blowpipe, gold threading was randomly dripped onto the surface, and the piece finally received a heavy iridescence in shades of violet, silver and gold. That it survived the annealing process is nearly miraculous and the piece a tribute to the artistry and talents of Tiffany’s glassworkers.

—Paul Doros