Jeweled Box

Manufacturer Louis Comfort Tiffany (American,1848-1933)

CultureAmerican

Dateca. 1914

MediumSilver, gold wire, pressed glass scarabs and moonstones

DimensionsOverall: 2 x 4 1/4 x 6 3/4 in. (5.1 x 10.8 x 17.1 cm)

InscribedEngraved in script on bottom: "To Charles W. Gould with my deep appreciation and respect from Louis C. Tiffany 1914."

Credit LineGift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr.

Object number71.2702

On View

Chrysler Museum of Art, Gallery 116-7, Case 41

DescriptionSterling silver with gold wire, pressed glass scarabs and moonstone box with four ball feet. The center of the hinged cover has a simple repousse floral design. The repousse work is outlined and framed with gold wire and embellished with gold beading. Four "jewels" of opalescent white glass are set in the center of the flower and an additional opalescent white "jewel" is set in each corner of the gold frame. Gold wire forms a second frame around the perimeter of the cover. In each corner is a simple gold wire flower and two small scarabs of pressed opaque blue blass with a multi-colored iridescence.

Label TextJeweled Box Perhaps the independent work of Julia Munson Sherman for Louis C. Tiffany, ca. 1914 Silver, gold wire, pressed glass scarabs and moonstones Inscription engraved on bottom: TO/ CHARLES W. GOULD/ WITH MY DEEP APPRECIATION AND RESPECT/ FROM LOUIS C. TIFFANY/ 1914 Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. 71.2702 (MAT 74.3) Doros #212 This box, unmarked except fro the inscription, is something of a mystery, yet is stylistically related to Tiffany Studios in silver and is set with Tiffany scarabs and moonstones—gems personally favored by Louis C. Tiffany. It has been suggested that it may be the independent work of Julia Munson, who resigned from Tiffany & Co. in February 1914 to marry Frederick Sherman. Nothing is known of the occasion of its presentation, but the Gould family were major Tiffany patron. In 1918, when the Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation was established to operate Tiffany’s Laurelton Hall estate as an informal art school and artists’ retreat, Charles W. Gould, the recipient of this box, was invited to be on the board of the new foundation (along with such notable as Robert W. de Forest and Daniel Chester French). He politely declined. Added by: AGM Exhibition History"Let's Go Shopping," Selden Arcade, Norfolk, VA, March 19 - June 8, 2013.Published ReferencesTHE TIFFANY COLLECITON OF THE CHRYSLER MUSEUM AT NORFOLK, Paul E. Doros, 1978, No. 212, Illus. p. 146 TIFFANY, Norman Potter and Douglas Jackson, Octopus Publishing/Pyramid, 1988.