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Photo of Tiffany Vase - Public domain dedication

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Photo of Tiffany Vase - Public domain dedication

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Summary

Designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany (American, New York 1848–1933 New York)
Made in New York, New York, United States

In 1837 Charles Lewis Tiffany and John B. Young founded Tiffany & Company in Brooklyn, Connecticut, as a "stationery and fancy goods emporium". Charles Tiffany's father who financed the store with only $1,000. Charles Lewis Tiffany along with his friend John B. Young established the jewelry company Tiffany in 1837 as Tiffany, Young and Ellis. They settled in Manhattan selling imported high-class glassware, silverware jewelry, and porcelain. Unlike other stores at the time, Tiffany clearly marked the prices on its goods, only accepted cash payments, and did not allow purchases on credit. The first Tiffany mail order catalog, known as the "Blue Book", was published in 1845, and publishing of the catalog continues it to this day. The company began designing its own jewelry in the 1850s, relocating to Fifth Avenue and opening branches in Paris and London. Tiffany adopted the British silver standards, establishing the term "sterling" in the US. Charles Comfort Tiffany succeeded his father as director and led the company to become one of the leading proponents of the Art Nouveau style and shortened the name to Tiffany & Company, changed emphasis on jewelry in 1853. In 1862 Tiffany supplied the Union Army with swords (Model 1840 Cavalry Saber), flags, and surgical implements. In 1870, the company built a new store building at 15 Union Square West, Manhattan, designed by John Kellum. It was described by The New York Times as a "palace of jewels". In 1956, legendary designer Jean Schlumberger joined Tiffany, and Andy Warhol collaborated with the company to create Tiffany holiday cards (circa 1956–1962).

Louis Comfort Tiffany (18 February 1848 - 17 January 1933) was an American artist and designer, best known for his work in stained glass. He was the son of Charles Lewis Tiffany, the founder of Tiffany & Co, and grew up in a wealthy family in New York City. Tiffany studied art in Europe and began his career as a painter, but later turned to decorative arts and interior design. In 1879 he founded his own company, Louis Comfort Tiffany & Associated Artists, which produced a wide range of decorative objects, including stained glass windows, lamps, vases and jewellery. Tiffany is best known for his work in stained glass, which he revolutionised by using new techniques and materials. He developed 'Favrile' glass, which had a unique iridescent quality and was used in many of his designs. Tiffany's stained glass windows can be found in many churches and public buildings throughout the United States. In addition to his work in stained glass, Tiffany was also an accomplished painter and his landscapes and still lifes were exhibited in many galleries. He was also a collector of Asian art and artefacts, which inspired many of his designs. Tiffany's legacy continues to influence art and design today, and his work is highly sought after by collectors around the world.

date_range

Date

1908
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Source

Metropolitan Museum of Art
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Copyright info

Public Domain Dedication (CC0)

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