This inkwell is an extremely rare example of Tiffany metalwork produced as a standalone design.
Louis Comfort Tiffany frequently took inspiration from ancient cultures and this inkwell is a perfect example. The design is inspired by a technique developed in ancient Rome in which glass is blown into an openwork metal structure, producing a sculptural pillowed effect. Around 1900, Tiffany instructed the glassworkers and artisans working out of his complex in Corona, Queens to adapt the technique to produce a series of rare experimental blown Favrile Glass vases in addition to a handful of early lamp bases and a limited number of metalwork designs, as in this rare inkwell model.
This inkwell, which retains the original blown Tiffany Favrile Glass in the rare red color palette and the original gilt bronze patina, is stamped on the underside with an early model number and both the Tiffany Glass & Decorating Company monogram and the Tiffany Studios mark, indicating that it was likely produced around 1902. The hinged lid, which opens to reveal a clear glass insert, showcases a crackled texture.
Height: 3 ½ inches (8.9 cm)
Diameter: 4 ⅜ inches (11.1 cm)
References:
William R. Holland, Tiffany Desk Sets, Schiffer Pub. Ltd, 2008, p. 234