Posted 11 years ago
hottttdog
(1 item)
I am searching for information about this Tiffany Silver Ewer #524, Height 9" and Width 4". Ivory spacers on the handle. Similar to the one given to Abraham Lincoln at his inauguration, but smaller. Excellent condition. A family piece I was given 50 years ago.
very beautiful!!!
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/22003-my-tiffany-chrysanthemum-coffee-pot
Kevin would help you !!!
stunning!!!
I just discovered online that this makers mark was only used in 1853, the year the company moved to NYC and they first used "Tiffand & Co" as a registry mark. In 1854 they switched to another makers mark. [ http://www.925-1000.com/Tiffany_Date_Code.html ] Also, from the initials JC Moore was the maker.
Sorry, "Tiffany & Co"
Tiffany&co was in London at the early stages of the business as well , so this could be from the London store.
Wouldn't it have the British Registry Hallmarks if it had been made in London? I agree probably NY. RER(BOB)
Tiffany's was an emporium for military supplies during the Civil War, producing swords and importing rifles and ammunition. During the Gilded Age that followed, its main problem was not selling jewelry but finding enough to satisfy the demand. By then it also had established dominance over the American silverware market. In 1868 a London branch store was added and Tiffany & Co. was incorporated, with its proprietor as president and treasurer. Also in that year, Moore's workshop became part of the firm. The store, which had been inching uptown with the city itself, moved into a newly constructed, company-owned building adjoining Union Square in 1870.
Bob Please read!!
http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/tiffany-co-history/
Hi from Sydney, Australia. I have a copy of the book on Tiffany silver by the Carpenters, Charles and Mary Grace. On page 245 they have a photo of a piece with the Gothic M mark in an oval with the number 545 above. It reads:
"AS we jhave noted earlier in the book, in the period 1851 to 1869, Tiffany had much of their hollow ware made by the Moore Company. John Chandler Moore is listed in the New York City Directory in 1832-3. At that time his mark was star - M - anchor. In the 1835-6 Directory he is listed with Garrett Eoff as Eoff & Moore; from 1836 to 1851 he is listed alone. At various times during the period Moore worked with M.B. Dixon (Moore & Dixon) and Henry Hebberd (Hebberd & Moore). During the 1840's Moore's mark was JCM or an English M in an oval: (photo).
It is probable that Moore's silver with these marks was sold at Tiffany's during the 1848 - 1851 period. The Moore old English M was incorporated into Tiffany marks after 1851.
This gives a date then of 1848 - 1851.
The Moore Company was bought out by Tiffany in 1868.
Your EWER is GLORIOUS!
so was I off then ?
Hello Kevin so was this sold at the London store?
Thanks for the comments! Here is the link to the Abraham Lincoln ewer
http://www.antiquetrader.com/antiques/antiques-americana/auctions/abraham_lincoln_tiffany_ewer_at_cowan_auction
If no one is able to identify this for me by the item number (#524) and maker's mark, I'll try and contact Tiffany NYC tomorrow. I'm sure they have the records (but I don't know if they will share them with me). I was hoping their records might already be online, but I haven't been able to find them.
The Ewer that you mention presented to Abraham Lincoln is on page 141 of the Tiffany Silver book. It is of similar form but with some differences. It is plate 199 Classical pitcher with hinged lid presented to Abraham Linoln on the time of his first inaugural. Made by Moore for Tiffany, ca. 1861. Height 13.5 ". Mark No 10 (809-2/5790) The Smithsonian Institution.
The mark they refer to is mark 10.
A later mark than the one which you have on your pitcher/ewer.
The Lincoln Inauguration Presentation Ewer did not have the ivory inserted bands. The handle design is slightly different. The finial on the lid is different as well. A classical helmet while yours has a cherub.
The Caprpenters write on pp 141-142: "The silver gilt ewer or pitcher with hinged lid (Fig. 199) which wa given to Abraham Lincoln in honour of his inauguration in 1861 is, stylistically, a transition piece. The angular handle with cast head and the Greek key borders with beading show remnants of Greek revivalism, but the flat stylised, neo-grec engraved surfaces are characteristic of the middle and late 1860's. Note also the contrast between the martial helmet on the lid and the sweet classical face on the handle. .... Both the Lincoln Ewer and the Durea pitcher in Figgure 198 have obvious deficiencies as works of art, but both are well made from a silversmithing point of view and both are important historically. They are characteristic and poignant mementoes of their times."
Their comments are also of their time, IMHO.
As to London, Sean, I do not believe so. The mark suggest well before the opening of the London store in 1868. This could be almost twenty years earlier.
Tiffany & Co will be able to give you details I am sure.
I believe there is a research fee.
Thankyou Kevin for solving!!! :)
The research is free , I have had them research for me before and I have to tell you if you live by a Tiffany & co , I would take it in and have them look at it personally !! you will get a better responds from them in person!!
Welcome to cw and thankyou for sharing your stunning piece!!
CW is a great resource! Thanks! I look forward to any other comments.
So I did contact Tiffany about researching their archives for my ewer, and they replied that it would cost me $500 for them to look up the records and, if they did actually find anything, it would cost me another $500 to get to see what they found. Such a deal! I think I'll pass on that one. Obviously, Tiffany is not interested in helping collectors to research the history of their company. So much for public relations!