NEW YORK, NY.- Bonhams New York will present a superb selection of dazzling Tiffany leaded glass lamps and Favrile glass vases from a prominent American collection on December 17 at 10 a.m. E.S.T. Assembled over the past three decades, this outstanding 25 lot grouping captures the essence of famous American designer Louis Comfort Tiffany’s quest for beauty, his love of nature – particularly flowers – and the coming together of glass and design.
Highlights from The Artistry of Tiffany: Selections from a Prominent American Collection are on view at Bonhams Hong Kong Gallery (Suite 2001, One Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty), 18-20 November, 10am-7pm.
“Every object in the collection was thoughtfully chosen for its artistry, color palette and technical brilliance,” said Bonhams’ Director of 20th Century Decorative Arts Beth Vilinsky. “These qualities are beautifully reflected in notable sale highlights such as a jewel-toned Peony table lamp (est. $100,000 – 150,000), which was the first major lamp to enter this private collection.”
Tiffany was familiar with the Japanese decorative arts, and it is, therefore, not surprising that he created lamp shades depicting peonies – a flower long treasured in Japan.
The sale also features a Snowball table lamp (est. $100,000 – 150,000). While more subtle in its colors than the Peony, it is equally breath-taking with its large white blossoms that are perfectly complimented by the surrounding rich greens leaves and blue background.
The top lot is an exceptional Daffodil lamp (est. $140,000 – 180,000, pictured to the left). Widely produced between 1904 and 1924, the model was one of Tiffany Studios’ most popular and the lamp for sale is an early example. The lamp rests on a rare blue Favrile glass and bronze base.
Another highlight is a stellar group of blown glass vases. The collection boasts an iconic “Morning Glory” paperweight vase (est. $60,000 – 80,000) that is nothing short of a painting in glass and a rare Aquamarine vase (est. $60,000 – 80,000) which masterfully encases a life-like underwater scene in thick-walled glass.
