Vase

Tiffany & Co.

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 774

The Union League Club of New York presented this classically inspired vase to graphic artist Thomas Nast in recognition of his efforts to sway public opinion in support of the Union cause during the Civil War. On each side of the vase, a putto slays a dragon, identified as the "secession monster," with a spear in the shape of a charcoal stylus–a tool of Nast's trade. The elongated neck mirrors those of ancient vases collected by Edward C. Moore, head of the silver division at Tiffany & Co. The cast dragons not only recall the mythical story of Saint Goerge but also point to Moore's engagement with Asian decorative objects and print sources. The vase was included in Tiffany's display at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition, demonstrating the firm's pride in the commission.

Vase, Tiffany & Co. (1837–present), Silver, silver-gilt, and glass or stone, American

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Vase, Tiffany & Co. (1837–present), Silver, silver-gilt, and glass or stone, American
Vase, Tiffany & Co. (1837–present), Silver, silver-gilt, and glass or stone, American
Vase, Tiffany & Co. (1837–present), Silver, silver-gilt, and glass or stone, American
Vase, Tiffany & Co. (1837–present), Silver, silver-gilt, and glass or stone, American
Vase, Tiffany & Co. (1837–present), Silver, silver-gilt, and glass or stone, American
Vase, Tiffany & Co. (1837–present), Silver, silver-gilt, and glass or stone, American

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