Louis Comfort Tiffany was one of the greatest designers and manufacturers of American art glass. Born in New York in 1848 Louis was the son of Charles Lewis Tiffany, the founder of the highly regarded jewellery retailer Tiffany & Co.
L C Tiffany became interested in glass techniques in 1875 and in 1885 established the Tiffany glass company. Louis Comfort Tiffany was incredibly innovative and the vase’s eclectic colours and techniques are in a class of its own. The style of the vase is heavily influenced by Japanese art forms and the Art Nouveau movement.
L.C. Tiffany is today renowned for his manufacture and design of stained glass windows and lamps. Tiffany’s works were exhibited worldwide and from circa 1900 earned several prizes and international status at the Universal Exposition in Paris.
In 1893, his company also introduced the term, Favrile (from the old French word for handmade) for free blown glass. The vase, marked L.C Tiffany and ‘Favrile’ is varicoloured and is designed to reflect light like a fine gemstone. The lustering techniques of this vase is inspired by the natural iridescence of ancient Roman glass which fascinated Louis. The effect in the furnace of experimenting with different metallic oxides and dissolving salts created the soft blue and green tones.
Tiffany glassware was at its best from the late 1890s to 1918. Louis Comfort Tiffany retired in 1918 and in 1928 he severed all connection with the firm, withdrawing permission to use his name. The Tiffany Studios remained in business until 1932.