An extremely rare copper circular lidded box with enamel decoration likely designed by one of the Tiffany Girls and produced under the supervision of Louis Comfort Tiffany.
The box and lid in an overall variegated black and olive green coloration, the cover decorated with vibrant red poppies, their centers with raised detailing, surrounded by iridescent green leaves.
This rare example of Tiffany's early metalwork, originally in the collection of legendary early Tiffany glass collector Joseph Heil, was acquired in 1960 by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) (accession no. 556.60 - the piece retains the painted accession number on both the lid and base). MoMA later de-accessioned the piece in a sale at Christie’s New York in June 2003; it has remained in a private collection since.
This piece is incscribed on the underside with Louis Comfort Tiffany's incised signature in addition to an impressed model number.
Height: 1 ½ inches (3.81 cm)
Diameter: 3 inches (7.62 cm)
Provenance:
Collection of Joseph Heil
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), circa 1960
Christie’s, June 12, 2003
Private Collection, Florida