Vase
Designed by Louis C. Tiffany American
Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company American
This object forms part of a group of over forty given to the Museum in 1896 by Louisine and Henry Osborne Havemeyer (96.17.9–.56). The gift was the first American glass to enter the Museum's collection. Most likely prompted by Louis Comfort Tiffany, the Havemeyers presented their collection of Tiffany Favrile glass to the Museum only three years after Tiffany started making decorative blown-glass vessels. The shapes, colors, and finishes of Tiffany's vases and plaques were inspired by the natural world and ancient glass. Tiffany's vases in the shapes of flowers are among his most fanciful creations. Some of the earliest were tall attenuated vases reminiscent of buds, like this example. They vary in their coloration from a pale green and white to darker, more opaque greens and reds.