Beschreibung:

American Silver and Mixed-Metal Japanesque Vase, Designed by Edward C. Moore for Tiffany & Co., New York, Circa 1870-74
of tapered square form with shell apron and raised on square feet, the lower body applied with a band of geometric patterns, cranes, prunus, and palms, the body inlaid with copper and niello scenes and geometric patterns on each side, including a crane standing in water next to bamboo, and a large butterfly below a prunus branch with blossoms and petals falling from the tree, all below an applied band of stylized flowers and leaves, marked on base and numbered 2978-5282
12 oz 10 dwt gross392 gheight 8 1/8 in.20.7 cmCondition reportTwo of the feet with repairs and each lacking two of their side panels. One of the shell aprons pushed in slightly. The two sides with the butterfly and prunus branch have some shallow creases. The niello decoration has some areas of surface pitting. One copper panel no longer flush with surface, but still secure. In otherwise good condition and a particularly elaborate example of this model.Catalogue noteThis vase belongs to a group of pieces John Loring has identified as Edward C. Moore's earlier phase of Japanese-style designs, which were showcased at the 1876 Philadelphia Exposition. Tiffany & Co. described the items as a "Group of Silver Articles, chromatically decorated by inlaying with copper, gold, and niello enamel - the first examples shown here." This first period of Moore's Japanese-inspired design was characterized by geometric forms decorated with flat inlaid patterns in copper and niello; these were partly derived from kaga zogan, flush colored metal inlays of a style used in the Kaga region on sword fittings and stirrups. By the Paris Exposition of 1878, Moore would introduce the more rounded forms, spot-hammered surfaces, and applied relief foliage and insects which compose his best-known "Japanese style" designs. Moore had been experimenting with Japanese influences since at least 1871, when "Audubon" pattern flatware was patented. The pieces for the 1876 exhibition show a development beyond this, with the influence of Christopher Dresser but before the influx of authentic Japanese items collected by Dresser for Tiffany and received by the firm in 1877. Thus, this vase showcases an important moment in the evolution of Moore's style and Tiffany's relationship with the Japanese aesthetic.
A similar example of a square form vase with shell apron, square feet, and similar applied bands by Tiffany can be found at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (1982.349) and is illustrated in Medill Higgins Harvey's recent publication Collecting Inspiration: Edward C. Moore at Tiffany & Co., pp. 77-78. However, the museum example doesn't have mixed metal decoration and instead is decorated with applied fish and engraved seaweed. Another example that is nearly identical to the present lot except for the decoration to the body was sold by Britannia Fine Antique Silver and images can be found on their website. That example is applied and engraved with Japanese figural scenes, but also lacks mixed-metal decoration. For examples of this square form vase with inlaid mixed-metal decoration, see two sold at Sotheby's New York, January 22, 2010, lot 398 and another one sold at Sotheby's New York, January 22, 2011, lot 140. A similar square form pitcher with inlaid mixed-metal decoration was sold Sotheby's New York, September 26, 2008, lot 152.