Jar with Lid

About this artwork

Research in Progress

Art Historical Context

Louis Comfort Tiffany’s *Jar with Lid* (ca. 1900) the refined elegance of American glassmaking at the turn of the twentieth century. Created by the celebrated designer and founder of Tiffany Studios, the piece reflects his lifelong fascination with light, color, and organic form. Tiffany’s innovative approach to glass transformed everyday objects into works of art, bridging the gap between fine craft and industrial production during the height of the Art Nouveau movement. Working in the medium of blown and molded glass, Tiffany developed his signature Favrile technique, which produced an iridescent surface reminiscent of ancient Roman and Near Eastern wares. The subtle shimmer and fluid contours of this lidded jar demonstrate his mastery in capturing the shifting play of light. Such vessels were prized by collectors for their luxurious yet functional beauty, embodying the era’s belief that art should enhance daily life. Now part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s collection through the bequest of Joseph L. Morris, the jar invites visitors to appreciate Tiffany’s enduring influence on American decorative arts. Its quiet sophistication continues to speak to the innovative spirit that defined early twentieth-century design.