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Tiffany name creates elegant framework for Morphy’s Dec. 12 auction

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf
Tiffany name
Tiffany Studios ‘Poppy’ table lamp, 22½ in tall, signed on shade and base. Estimate $100,000-$150,000. Morphy Auctions image

DENVER, Pa. – Perennially, one of the most beautiful sights of the Christmas season in Pennsylvania is Morphy Auctions’ Fine & Decorative Arts pre-auction gallery preview. The warmth of rare antique leaded-glass lamps, the fiery sparkle of fine gems and the iridescence of Art Nouveau vases combine to create an atmosphere of luminescence and traditional quality that bidders look forward to, year after year. This holiday season, Morphy’s will present a 767-lot Fine & Decorative Arts Auction on Thursday, Dec. 12 led by exquisite designs from Tiffany Studios, including scores of rare table, floor and hanging lamps. Bid absentee or live online through LiveAuctioneers.

Topping the Tiffany lighting selection is a 22½-inch-tall table lamp (above) with a leaded-glass shade in the “Poppy” motif. Featuring richly hued red and pink poppies in concert with a band of green leaves against a mottled light-blue background, this stellar example of Tiffany artistry is signed on both the base and 17-inch (diameter) shade. The auction estimate is $100,000-$150,000.

An exotic masterpiece, a circa-1910 Tiffany Studios table lamp with a “Venetian” leaded-glass shade stands 21 inches tall on a foliate, “jewel”-studded gilt-bronze base. The densely arranged glass segments run the gamut of warm honey, gold, and ruby hues pleasingly punctuated by violets and greens throughout. From a long-held collection, it carries a $50,000-$80,000 estimate.

Tiffany name
Tiffany Studios ‘Venetian’ leaded-glass table lamp with gilt bronze base, circa 1910, 21in tall with signed 14in diameter shade. From a longtime collection. Estimate $50,000-$80,000. Morphy Auctions image

A stunning Tiffany bronze and leaded, stained-glass chandelier in the “October Night” pattern displays a quintessentially Art Nouveau botanical theme of red berries interspersed within an overall network of branches and leaves. Suspended from four chains, the shade is signed “TIFFANY STUDIOS NEW YORK.” Ever since it was purchased in 1980 from Lillian Nassau (New York) – the world’s foremost source and authority on Tiffany lamps – the chandelier has been the prized possession of a family in Texas. It comes to auction at Morphy’s with a $75,000-$95,000 estimate.

Tiffany name
Tiffany Studios ‘October Night’ chandelier, 26in diameter shade signed ‘TIFFANY STUDIOS NEW YORK.’ Provenance: Texas family who purchased it from Lillian Nassau circa 1980. Estimate $75,000-$95,000. Morphy Auctions image

Another Tiffany Studios chandelier of breathtaking beauty was executed in the “Peony” pattern. As the name suggests, the cone-form shade is encircled by peony blossoms of red, pink and white. The medley of various types and textures of glass – including confetti, granite textured, drapery, mottled, and more – lends depth to the motif and showcases the considerable talent that went into this superior work of art. Signed and retaining an applied “TIFFANY STUDIOS NEW YORK” tag, the chandelier could realize $65,000-$80,000 on auction day.

Tiffany name
Tiffany Studios ‘Peony’ chandelier, 28in diameter shade signed on inside rim with applied tag ‘TIFFANY STUDIOS NEW YORK. Estimate $65,000-$80,000. Morphy Auctions image

An extremely rare and important Tiffany Studios “Poppy” inkwell designed by Clara Driscoll is a mosaic creation of heavily iridescent Favrile glass in a patinated, leaf-shaped bronze frame. Impressed “TIFFANY STUDIOS NEW YORK 867” and engraved with the signature “L.C. TIFFANY FAVRILE,” it is estimated at $40,000-$60,000. The tremendous array of decorative art to be auctioned also includes American and European glass, Asian antiques, folk art, silver, furniture and 95 lots of pottery by Amphora, Rookwood, Weller and Roseville.

Tiffany name
Extremely rare and important Tiffany Studios ‘Poppy’ inkwell, designed by Clara Driscoll, bronze and Favrile glass, impressed ‘TIFFANY STUDIOS NEW YORK 867,’ engraved signature ‘L.C. TIFFANY FAVRILE.’ Estimate $40,000-$60,000. Morphy Auctions image

A painting that is poised for success is Georges Rouault’s (French, 1871-1958) Impressionist Israeli landscape dated “1948 JAN.” It measures 27¾ by 37 inches (sight) and is estimated at $80,000-$100,000.

Tiffany name
Georges Rouault (French, 1871-1958), Impressionist Israeli landscape, dated ‘1948 JAN,’ 27¾ x 37 in (sight). Estimate $80,000-$100,000. Morphy Auctions image

Another highlight is an 8- by 10½-inch (sight) Barend Cornelis Koekkoek Sr. (Netherlands, 1803-1862) river landscape with figures. The oil-on-panel is signed and dated “1841.” Estimate: $30,000-$40,000.

Tiffany name
Barend Cornelis Koekkoek Sr. (Netherlands, 1803-1862), river landscape with figures, oil on panel, signed/dated 1841, 8 x 10½ in. (sight). Estimate $30,000-$40,000. Morphy Auctions image

More than two dozen fine timepieces will be offered, including an impressive men’s Rolex Daytona Ref. 116520 Oyster Perpetual Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified Cosmograph/Chronograph. The big 40mm case encircles a white dial with silver sub-dials, rendering a very handsome, masculine appearance. Made circa 2010, it has never been worn and is presented mint in its original box with a Rolex card and protective plastic over the clasp and bracelet. Estimate $16,000-$24,000.

Tiffany name
Men’s Rolex Daytona Ref. 116520 Oyster Perpetual Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified Cosmograph/Chronograph, case diameter 40mm, circa 2010, never worn, mint in box with card. Estimate $16,000-$24,000. Morphy Auctions image

Watch connoisseurs will immediately recognize the special qualities of a Breguet Classic Complicated Tourbillon Messidor platinum and 18K pink gold wristwatch, Ref 3450, with a 36mm case. It is a manual-wind model with a 21-jewel movement with small seconds, Caliber 558, and has a silver guilloche dial with black Roman numerals. Marked “No. 067 P” and bearing serial number 2794 E, it retains its original black crocodile strap. The estimate is $25,000-$35,000.

Tiffany name
Men’s Breguet Classic Complicated Tourbillon Messidor platinum and 18K pink gold wristwatch, Ref 3450, case diameter 36mm, original crocodile strap. Estimate $25,000-$35,000. Morphy Auctions image

The fine jewelry category also features ladies’ rings, earrings and brooches set with sparkling diamonds and other precious gems from such distinguished jewelers as Van Cleef & Arpels and Tiffany & Co. The Tiffany selection includes a pair of boxed 18K gold and diamond earrings, $8,000-$12,000; a gold and sapphire brooch, $2,000-$3,000; and a sensational platinum and diamond ring with a natural 10.60-carat cabochon star sapphire at its center. Weighing 6.4 grams, the showstopping ring with intense “star characteristics” is accompanied by its original AGL Prestige Gemstone Report. Estimate: $20,000-$30,000.

Tiffany name
Tiffany & Co., platinum, natural 10.60ct cabochon star sapphire and diamond ring with original AGL Prestige Gemstone Report. Gross weight: 6.4 grams. Estimate $20,000-$30,000. Morphy Auctions image

Morphy’s Dec. 12 Fine & Decorative Arts Auction will start at 9 a.m. Eastern Time at the company’s gallery in Denver, Pennsylvania. Bid absentee or live online through LiveAuctioneers. Questions: call 877-968-8880 or email info@morphyauctions.com.

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Tiffany name