gallery 2008

tiffany silver and lacquer

This fine silver and Japanese lacquer card case was made by Tiffany's of New York around 1910.

 

The rectangular silver case has a lift-off cover and is decorated over-all with gold, silver and coloured hiramaki-e lacquer and gold nashiji speckles against a black lacquer ground. Decorative motifs include a circular floral bouquet with long streaming gold and purple stems, a red ribbon bow, an iris flower with blue-tipped leaves, red maple leaves, gold cherry blossoms. The gilt interior is marked on the neck and numbered 04755-6602.

 

The case was auctioned by Sotheby's New York on 7 October. The estimate of $3,000 to $5,000 was far exceeded with the case making a staggering $44,400.