Covered Box - Louis Comfort Tiffany

A fine art print of a Favrile glass covered box by Louis Comfort Tiffany, showcasing the characteristic iridescent surface and organic Art Nouveau design.

This piece displays the characteristic qualities of Favrile glass, a material developed by Louis Comfort Tiffany and patented in 1894. The term derives from the Old English word 'fabrile', meaning handmade or wrought. Tiffany sought to replicate the iridescent surfaces found on ancient Roman glass, which had been buried for centuries and exposed to mineral deposits. By introducing metallic oxides during the glass-blowing process, he achieved a surface that shifts in colour depending on the angle of light. The box features a low, rounded profile with a base that exhibits a warm, amber-toned iridescence. The surface of the glass is manipulated to suggest organic, flowing forms, typical of the Art Nouveau period. The lid provides a visual contrast, featuring a deeper, saturated blue hue with a central floral motif. The decoration on the lid is applied with precision, using lighter tones to outline the petals, which creates a sense of depth against the dark, lustrous background. Tiffany Studios produced a wide range of such objects, from vases to desk accessories, often using the same techniques to achieve varied effects. This box is an example of the studio's focus on the interplay between form and surface chemistry. The object is not merely a container but a study in light refraction and colour theory. The iridescence creates a metallic sheen that obscures the transparency of the glass, giving it the appearance of a precious metal or a polished gemstone. Such items were popular among collectors who valued the marriage of industrial innovation and artisanal craft. The design avoids rigid geometry, preferring the fluid, asymmetrical lines that defined the aesthetic of the early twentieth century.