*Tiffany & Co 1889 Art Nouveau Very Rare Lap Over Edge Pattern Box In Sterling Silver
Box designed by Charles Grosjean (1841-1888) for Tiffany & Co.
Gorgeous rectangular box designed by Charles Grosjean for the Tiffany Studios in New York city., back in the 1889-1890. This box is the model 10212 from the Lap over Edge collection created during the art nouveau period under the directory presidency of Edward C. Moore (1873-1891). This extremely rare piece was crafted with intricate art nouveau patterns and decorated with organic florals motifs sculpted in solid sterling silver of .925/.999. As with all Tiffany pieces, the quality and design are beyond compare. Exceptional and rare example of Tiffany's finest work.
This box appears to be a special order from Tiffany studios, as the initials LPE are fully integrated into the design at the bottom. These initials are not engraved, they are sculpted in high relief. This box is definitely exceptional.
Weight: 178.2 Grams, (114.23 Dwt).
Measurements: 142 mm by 52 mm by 30 mm (5.6 x 2.05 x 1.18 Inches).
Hallmarks: Stamped with the maker's mark, the silver assay mark, the special order numbers, the scratched inventory reference numbers, the gothic letter M for Edward C. Moore and signed in full, "TIFFANY & CO. STERLING SILVER 6000 10212 M 8229".
Charles Grosjean (1841-1888). Grosjean worked in his family's firm which produced high end silverware to prominent New York City retailers, including Tiffany. Upon his father's death, Grosjean left his family firm to become superintendent of Tiffany's silver factory in 1868. He had great background in silver and was an artist and was referred to as "one of the best living decorators of silver". He was a teacher in the Tiffany School and designed a few full lines of sterling patterns for Tiffany in his time with the company including Chrysanthemum and English King.
Note: Tiffany silver holloware and flatware is generally marked Tiffany & Co and generally includes date letters indicating the period it was made. Flatware also usually includes a pattern number. The first date letter "M (old English) used by Tiffany’s represented Edward C. Moore, who was the head of tiffany's silver operations since 1873 until 1891. after his death, the date letters were based on the initial of the current tiffany president; 1891-1902 Charles L. Tiffany (T), 1902-1907 Charles T. Cook (C), 1907-1947 John C. Moore (M), 1947-1955 Louis De Bian Moore (B), 1955-ca.1965 William T. Lusk (L).
Note: This model 10212 was designed by Charles L. Tiffany and was first produced in the 1889. This is the number 17 of the edition of only 60 pieces produced.
The Tiffany dynasty was founded in 1837 at 259 Broadway in New York City by Charles Louis Tiffany and partner John B. Young. It began not as a jewelry & silver emporium, but as a purveyor of stationery and fancy goods under the name Tiffany & Young. Although America was in a deep economic recession, the store soon acquired a respected name and flourished with its quality merchandise imported from Europe, India and the Orient. In 1841, a new partner, J. L. Ellis joined the firm and the name changed to Tiffany, Young & Ellis. The first of the Tiffany "Blue Book" catalogs appeared in 1845 and with it the first indications of silver merchandise carried; a small range of personal items and all, almost certainly, imported. The firm expanded to larger quarters at 271 Broadway in 1847, the move enabled a significant increase in the retailing of silver and jewelry. It is here that American made silver finally took its place alongside the Tiffany name. The goods were made mostly by New York City silversmiths and often bore their maker's marks, as well as the Tiffany retailer's mark. The year 1851 was an important year in the history of American silver, Tiffany, Young & Ellis, seeking to give their silver goods distinction, became the first American firm to introduce the use of the English Sterling (.925) standard in American made silver.
Deciding that they wanted more control, they contracted with the firm of John C. Moore, one the finest American holloware silver smithies, to produce exclusively for Tiffany's. Both Young & Ellis retired in 1853, giving Charles Tiffany control of the firm, again he moved it to larger quarters at 550 Broadway and the name was changed to that which we know today, Tiffany & Company. Over the next two decades, Tiffany worked closely with J. C. Moore and, increasingly with his son, Edward Chandler Moore, who had fully taken the reins of Moore concern in the 1860's. Together, the artist Moore and the businessman Tiffany, created many landmark pieces of American silver and spread the fame of Tiffany & Company silverware. In 1867, at the Exposition Universelle in Paris, Tiffany's became the first American firm to win an award for excellence in silver. Charles L. Tiffany made a landmark decision in 1868, he reached an agreement with Edward C. Moore and purchased the Moore firm. At this juncture, Tiffany & Company became a silver manufacturer as well as a silver retailer. For his part, Edward Moore became a Tiffany retailer stockholder and the general manager of the silverware end of the business. His first important step was to expand production to include flatware manufacturing. In 1869 "Tiffany", the company's first flatware pattern, premiered and the firm moved to new and larger quarters on Union Square.
Moore was a cultured man, an avid world traveler and collector of art and objects of the Near & Far East. As the Aesthetic Movement style became fashionable, his innovative nature and knowledge of Eastern art combined with his superlative design skills to bring Tiffany's to the forefront of American silver manufacturers. Many of the finest Japonesque and Moorish Revival objects ever created, including major presentation pieces, were made by Tiffany & Company at this time. By the time of Edward Moore's death in 1891, Tiffany & Co. had won major awards at successive European and American Expositions and had become the most internationally respected American silver manufacturer. The founder, Charles L. Tiffany passed on in 1902, leaving a legacy based on sound business judgement and goods of exceptional quality. Tiffany & Company moved to its present quarters at 5th Avenue & 57th Street in 1940 and remained in the hands of the Tiffany & Moore families until 1955. (Encyclopedia of silver marks, with thanks).
Condition: The overall condition of this piece is excellent. Beside the little normal wear, there is absolutely no damage or dents to the sterling silver. This box has been carefully inspected to guarantee the condition and authenticity.
INVENTORY REF: D010222MNNM/5.28
