Vase

About this artwork

Research in Progress

Art Historical Context

Louis Comfort Tiffany’s *Vase*, created around 1900, exemplifies the innovative spirit of American decorative arts at the turn of the twentieth century. As a leading figure in the Art Nouveau movement, Tiffany transformed glass from a utilitarian material into an expressive art form. His studio’s experiments with color, light, and texture produced objects that captured the organic beauty of nature while embracing modern industrial techniques. This piece reflects the era’s fascination with exotic and luminous effects. Tiffany developed his signature Favrile glass by introducing metallic oxides into the molten material, creating an iridescent surface that shifts with light. Such vases were prized for their jewel-like quality and were collected by museums and private patrons alike, helping to elevate American glassware to international prominence. Now part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s collection through the bequest of Joseph L. Morris, the vase continues to showcase Tiffany’s lasting influence on design. It stands as a quiet testament to the period’s blend of craftsmanship and artistic ambition.