An important silver gilt and enamel vase designed by Paulding Farnham for the 1900 Paris Exposition - Tiffany & Co., New York, circa 1900

In the Burmese taste, of stepped vase form, on circular foot, the body applied with raised beading in geometric, floral and meander bands, enclosing red, green and blue enamel bosses in imitation of rubies, emeralds and sapphires, the shoulder applied with two blue enamel finials, the upcurved handles, shaped everted neck and scroll finials all decorated with rosettes of red and green enamel, marked under base, also marked 13926/1268 and with 1900 Paris Exposition mark - 14 in. high; 104 oz. 10 dwt. gross weight - Estimate: $120,000-180,000

Notes : Tiffany & Co.'s display at the 1900 Paris Exposition was designed by Paulding Farnham, one of the firm's most outstanding designers. Farnham's long affiliation with Tiffany began with his apprenticeship under Edward C. Moore at the "Tiffany School" where he was exposed to Moore's myriad design influences. He served as general assistant to Moore beginning in 1885 and rose to become head of the Jewelry and Silver departments.

Under Farnham's direction, Tiffany's eclectic silver at the 1900 Fair drew inspiration from Burmese, American Indian, Russian, Pompeian, Viking, Egyptian, Byzantine and Italian Renaissance design sources, to name but a few (see lots 42 and 52 for other examples of Tiffany's 1900 exhibition silver).

Farnham designed a number of objects in the Burmese style for the Exposition, including wine coolers, candlesticks and a dressing-table mirror which sold in these Rooms, 22-23 January 1993, lot 143. This vase forsakes the shaded and pastel enamels favored by Moore (see lot 57) for the clear and vibrant colors of cabochon gemstones. The use of interlaced beading and enamel on this vase is also employed on a Saracenic style silver gilt coffee service, designed by Farnham, circa 1900, which employs interlaced ovals of pearls and green enamel. See John Loring, Magnificent Tiffany Silver, 2001, illus. p. 200, and pp. 198-205.

Christie's. Important American Silver. Including a Collection of American Aesthetic Movement Silver and the Hirsch & Ethel D. Jacobs Collection of Thoroughbred Racing Trophies. 17 January 2008. 20 Rockefeller Plaza, New York