Favrile Glass Cameo Vase

Favrile Glass Cameo Vase
Tiffany Studios
circa 1903-04
This Favrile Glass Vase is an exceptional example of Tiffany Studios’ mastery of the Cameo technique. Louis Comfort Tiffany and Arthurt Nash first began to experiment with wheel-carved Favrile Glass in the mid-1890s; in these early examples, a core of clear glass was decorated with small applied pads of color and then carved. By the early 1900s, the company had expanded their techniques and decorative abilities.

In this vase, a core of clear glass was decorated with applied pads of deep purple glass. The entire surface of the vase was then carved back to reveal a motif of purple clematis flowers with decorative millefiori centers, green leaves and soft brown branches, all raised in low relief from the translucent ground of the vase.

This type of frosted opalescent glass was first introduced by Tiffany around 1903 and was known as the “Rock Crystal” line. This frosted look was intended to replicate the carved quartz bottles which were popular in China in the 18th century.

This fine example of Tiffany Favrile Glass is signed with date code on the underside.

Height: 4 ¼ inches (10.8 cm)
Diameter: 5 inches (12.7 cm)