This rare gilt bronze Paper Clip is one of the smallest pieces of the Abalone Desk Set, one of Tiffany Studios’ most popular desk sets, introduced around 1910. The Abalone Desk Set was one of Tiffany Studios’ most popular Desk Set patterns and was in regular production for two decades, from around 1910 through the late 1920s (the Abalone Set was one of the few Desk Sets still listed for sale in the company’s 1929 Price List).
Tiffany Studios produced a wide range of desk accessories as part of the Abalone set, including this rare Paper Clip. The flat top of the hinged clip is decorated with a stylized grape cluster formed by an arrangement of inset discs of naturally iridescent Abalone shell, surrounded by a raised linear motif representing a grape leaf and coiling grape vines.
This rare piece of Tiffany Studios metalwork is stamped with firm’s mark and model number.
Height: 1 inch (2.5 cm)
Width: 1 ¾ inches (4.5 cm)
Depth: 2 ¼ inches (5.7 cm)