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Coffee Pot thumbnail 2
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Coffee Pot

ca. 1875-1880 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

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

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Coffee Pot
  • Lid
Materials and techniques
Silver, with applied base metals
Brief description
Coffee pot, silver, designed by Edward Chandler Moore, produced by Tiffany & Co., New York, ca. 1875-1880
Physical description
Silver sugar bowl, with applied base metals and decoration imitating Japanese sword furniture
Dimensions
  • Base to top of lid height: 21cm
  • From spout to widest part of handle (approx) width: 13cm
  • Across base of pot diameter: 6.3cm
Marks and inscriptions
5401 makers 441 (From Tiffany archive: Pattern 5401is 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.)
Translation
Tiffany & Co design numbers
Gallery label
(1987-2006)
'American and European Art and Design 1800-1900'

Moore was chief designer and supervisor of Tiffany's silver manufactory from 1868 to 1890. His designs used Oriental and naturalistic ornament. The coffee pot is based on Islamic models while the applied decoration on these pieces imitates Japanese sword furniture. 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.
(05/04/2017)
Coffee Pot, Creamer and Sugar Bowl
1875-80

Charles Louis Tiffany started his New York business in 1837, selling fancy goods. Around 1850 he and his partners began specialising in silverware and jewellery. His designs used oriental motifs and naturalistic ornament. By 1880 the firm was one of the major decorative arts businesses in America, with an international reputation. Moore was chief silver designer from 1868 to 1890.

USA, New York; designed by Edward Chandler Moore; made by Tiffany & Co.
Silver, with applied base metals
Object history
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.
Historical context
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.
Bibliographic reference
Willburn, Pansylea Howard. 'Collecting Antique American Coin Silver & Sterling Napkin Rings, With an Overview of the Meaning of Coin Silver'. Silver Magazine, vol. XLVI, no. 6, November - December 2014. pp. 20-26.
Collection
Accession number
M.26&C-1970

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Record createdMay 10, 2006
Record URL
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