“Swirl” Pen Tray

Object Name: 
“Swirl” Pen Tray

Notice of Upcoming Content and Access Change

The Museum is working on the future of our online collections access. A new version will be available later in 2023. During this transition period, the current version of the Collections Browser may have reduced functionality and data may be not be updated. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. For any questions or concerns, please contact us.

What is AAT?

The Art & Architecture Thesaurus (AAT) (r) is a structured vocabulary for generic concepts related to art and architecture. It was developed by The Getty Research Institute to help research institutions become consistent in the terminology they use.Learn More

Object Name: 
“Swirl” Pen Tray
Accession Number: 
2016.4.6
Dimensions: 
Overall H: 1.6 cm, W: 20 cm, D: 7.7 cm
Location: 
On Display
Date: 
about 1900-1905
Primary Description: 
“Swirl” Pen Tray. Cast bronze, inlaid variegated Favrile glass tesserae. This pen tray features a bronze, rectangular body with rounded edges. The entire body is framed in bronze lines that overlap and swirl together at the two upper corners and in a spot near the center of the tray. Two circular areas, used to rest the pen itself, mirror this swirling, wave-like pattern. Impressed Favrile glass tesserae have been placed on the upper portion of the pen tray, specifically cut to surround the curvaceous lines of the metal sections.
Department: 
Pattern Name: 
Swirl
Design: 
1001
Provenance: 
Matsue English Garden, Former Collection
Michaan's Auctions, Former Collection
2013-05-18
Lillian Nassau LLC, Source
2016-07-20
Color: 
Inscription: 
23908
inscription
Stamped on base Five-digit number stamped on base of pen tray - the area is worn, and the numbers are extremely difficult to read
Tiffany's Glass Mosaics
Venue(s)
Corning Museum of Glass 2017-05-20 through 2018-01-08
When you hear the words “Tiffany” and “glass,” you may immediately think of leaded glass windows or luminous lamps, but artist Louis C. Tiffany expressed his passion for color and glass most innovatively in the technique of mosaic. From monumental architectural installations to inkwells for desktops, Tiffany’s Glass Mosaics will be the first museum exhibition focused exclusively on this aspect of Tiffany’s extraordinary artistic career. The exhibition will feature a selection of objects from museums, libraries, and private collections, including fireplace surrounds, decorative panels, desk accessories, design drawings, sample panels, lamps, trade literature, and a special look at Tiffany’s innovative materials including an array of sheet glass, glass “jewels,” and glass fragments drawn from the archive of The Neustadt Collection of Tiffany Glass. Treasured by local communities, many of Tiffany’s architectural glass mosaics survive today, tucked away in churches, libraries, universities and other public buildings. This exhibition at The Corning Museum of Glass will use new digital displays to bring these artworks to audiences in Corning. By examining the inventive materials and process—from design inspiration to fabrication—we hope that visitors will appreciate the creativity of Tiffany’s talented artists and artisans as never before. This exhibition is jointly organized by The Corning Museum of Glass and The Neustadt Collection of Tiffany Glass.
An American Taste for Tiffany's Glass Mosaics (2017) illustrated, p. 112 (bottom); BIB# 104003
Acquisitions (2017) illustrated, pp. 42-43 (#28); BIB# AI103665
Tiffany's Glass Mosaics (2017) illustrated, p. 200 (bottom);
The Corning Museum of Glass Annual Report 2016 (2016) illustrated, p. 24; BIB# 714015
Louis C. Tiffany: The Garden Museum Collection (2004) illustrated, p. 398; BIB# 81365