Coffee pot, silver, designed by Edward Chandler Moore, produced by Tiffany & Co., New York, ca. 1875-1880

Silver sugar bowl, with applied base metals and decoration imitating Japanese sword furniture

From Tiffany & Co. archives (9th March 2007):
'Pattern 5401 is listed in our hollowware manufacturing ledger as "Coffee Set 3 pcs. Gourd." Order number 441 and decoration number 447, both stamped on your coffee pot, are listed in the ledger entry for pattern 5401.The entries are separated making the entry difficult to decipher: 4 ounces of sterling silver is listed in the far left column next to order #441, while $45, the pot's hammering and mounting manufacturing cost "H&M #447" is listed in the row above.'

'There is no existing drawing for the coffee pot. A hollowware blueprint for Coffee Pot #4758 appears close in design concept to this coffee pot, however this drawing is a decorative design scheme for decoration #390.' Please notice the notation at the far left top corner of the drawing: there is a notation for pattern #4759, suggesting that the two patterns were designed as comparables.'

A facsimile copy of this drawing (for reference not reproduction) is held in the V&A metalwork collection's object files.

Moore was chief designer and supervisor of Tiffany's silver manufactory from 1868 to 1890. His designs used Oriental and naturalistic ornament. Charles Louis Tiffany (1812-1902) started his New York business in 1837, selling fancy goods. In about 1850 he and his partners began specialising in silverware and jewellery. By about 1880 the firm was one of the major decorative arts businesses in America with an international reputation.

M.26&C-1970