Tiffany & Co. is one of the most prominent purveyors of luxury goods in the United States, and has long been an important arbiter of style in the design of diamond engagement rings. A young Franklin Delano Roosevelt proposed to his future wife, Eleanor, with a Tiffany ring in 1904. Vanderbilts, Whitneys, Astors and members of the Russian imperial family all wore Tiffany & Co. jewelry. And Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis preferred Tiffany china for state dinners at the White House.
Although synonymous with luxury today, the firm started out rather modestly. Charles Lewis Tiffany and John B. Young founded it in Connecticut as a “stationery and fancy goods emporium” in 1837, at a time when European imports still dominated the nascent American luxury market. In 1853, Charles Tiffany — who in 1845 had launched the company’s famed catalog, the Blue Book, and with it, the firm’s signature robin’s-egg blue, which he chose for the cover — shifted the focus to fine jewelry.
In 1868, Tiffany & Co. gained international recognition when it became the first U.S. firm to win an award for excellence in silverware at the Exposition Universelle in Paris. From then on, it belonged to the pantheon of American luxury brands.
At the start of the Gilded Age, in 1870, Tiffany & Co. opened its flagship store, described as a "palace of jewels" by the New York Times, at 15 Union Square West in Manhattan. Throughout this period, its designs for silver tableware, ceremonial silver, flatware and jewelry were highly sought-after indicators of status and taste. They also won the firm numerous accolades, including the grand prize for silverware at the Paris Exposition of 1878. Among the firm’s glittering creations from this time are masterworks of Art Nouveau jewelry, such as this delicate aquamarine necklace and this lavish plique-à-jour peridot and gold necklace, both circa 1900.
When Charles Lewis Tiffany died, in 1902, his son Louis Comfort Tiffany became the firm’s design director. Under his leadership, the Tiffany silver studio was a de facto design school for apprentice silversmiths, who worked alongside head artisan Edward C. Moore. The firm produced distinctive objects inspired by Japanese art and design, North American plants and flowers, and Native American patterns and crafts, adding aesthetic diversity to Tiffany & Co.’s distinguished repertoire.
Tiffany is also closely associated with diamonds, even lending its name to one particularly rare and exceptional yellow stone. The firm bought the Tiffany diamond in its raw state from the Kimberley mines of South Africa in 1878. Cut to create a 128.54-carat gem with an unprecedented 82 facets, it is one of the most spectacular examples of a yellow diamond in the world.
In a broader sense, Tiffany & Co. helped put diamonds on the map in 1886 by introducing the American marketplace to the solitaire diamond design, which is still among the most popular engagement-ring styles. The trademark Tiffany® Setting raises the stone above the band on six prongs, allowing its facets to catch the light. A lovely recent example is this circa-2000 platinum engagement ring. Displaying a different design and aesthetic (but equally chic) is this exquisite diamond and ruby ring from the 1930s.
Find Tiffany & Co. jewelry, serveware and decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.
Antique Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver Vase
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The vase is created by Tiffany & Co., it is made out of 925/ 1000 sterling silver. The vase features floral and geometric cut outs design. It comes without liner. Hallmarks: TIFFANY...
Sterling Silver
Vintage Articulated Sterling Silver Fish Figurine Mid Century Modern
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Vintage Articulated Sterling Silver Fish Figurine Mid Century Modern Stamped PLATA925 Eyes likely made of glass The body is articulated and has movement The fish stands up on the bot...
Sterling Silver
Antique Rene Boivin Platinum Diamond Brooch Circa 1880s Estate Jewelry
By René Boivin
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This antique Rene Boivin platinum and diamond lily-of-the-valley brooch, dating to the 1880s, captures the natural inspiration that defined early French jewelry design. Shaped as a s...
Diamond, Platinum
David Webb Diamond Platinum Brooch Floral Design
By David Webb
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This vintage David Webb brooch is a refined example of the designer’s work in platinum and diamonds. The piece features an openwork layout built around botanical motifs, giving the b...
Diamond, Platinum
Antique NeoClassical Sterling Silver Spaulding & Co. Centerpiece Bowl
By Spaulding And Co.
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A masterful example of American Gilded Age silver, this monumental centerpiece bowl was retailed by the premier Chicago house Spaulding & Company. The bowl is executed in the sophist...
Sterling Silver
84 Silver & Vermeil Table Box by Gustav Klingert, Moscow c. 1879
By Gustav Klingert
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An exceptional piece of Soviet history, this heavy silver table box was crafted by the legendary Moscow silversmith Gustav Klingert (Г. К.). It features a rare and significant hand-e...
Vermeil, Silver
Tiffany & Co. Gilt Sterling Silver Flower in a Pot
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Tiffany & Co. gilt sterling silver flower in a pot, in pattern number 24037 from the 1950s, in an elegant, geometric design. It measures 14 1/2'' in height by 3 5/8'' in depth. Gross...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Pretty Antique European Silver Flower Ornament
Located in New York, NY
European silver ornament, ca 1920. Single plain hollow stem sprouting 3 flowers with ripe, splayed petals and prominent stamen surrounding 3 tight and tall buds. A pretty, hopeful or...
Silver
1862 Flower Jewelry Rings Demo Stand solid 830 Silver Textile / 162 gr
Located in SE
Unusual, custom hand - made and very likely and one of a kind Jewelry Flower Stand ! Realistically modeled coiled stem, petals, adjustable filaments with hinged / moving anthers ....
Sterling Silver, Silver
French Bronze Sculpture of A Flower with Glass, Signed 1979, France
Located in Marbella, ES
French Bronze Sculpture of A Flower with Glass, Signed 1979, France.
Bronze
French Art Nouveau Patinated Bronze Sculptural Iris Vase, ca. 1900
Located in New York, NY
ABOUT IRIS The iris is a special and mysterious flower. Not only because of its striking appearance, but also from an artistic and historical point of view. It is also like a work of art, as though created by Mother Nature. The unique leaves of this plant not only create wonderful shadow casts, but also look as if they were painted by hand. It's no wonder that iris acts as the muse for countless artists, and can be seen in many famous works of art. The iris was first spotted in the time of Pharaoh Thutmose, in 1504 BC. He had the iris inscribed into the wall reliefs of a temple as a sign of his power, as well as decorating his sceptre with motifs of the flower. Since then, the iris has been a symbol of victory in Egypt. But the symbolism of the iris goes further than that. In Japan, the flower represents courage and is the symbol of the boys' festival. In Islamic cultures, the iris is a symbol of prosperity. In Europe, the flower was a popular weapon symbol in the Middle Ages and stood for chivalry. And in Christianity, the iris was seen as a symbol of the trinity because of its three-part flowers. With more than 300 varieties, the iris is now the most popular flower among growers and gardeners following the rose. Countless artists use the iris in their works and the flower is present in all eras. You can see the flower on furniture, vases, jewelry, fabrics, sculptures, coats of arms and much more. Did you know that the iris is also called the sword lily? It's not a coincidence that it used to symbolize physical and emotional pain and suffering caused by a weapon. We also see the flower in religious art, where it's often associated with Mary and Jesus. The iris is also associated with the Greek goddess Iris, where the flower symbolizes reconciliation and divine messages. This is also reflected in many paintings. Finally, the iris is also visible in Dutch and Flemish still-life paintings. This can be in a religious form, incorporated into an object or as a decorative flower. In the Art Nouveau art movement, the iris (along with other plants, such as the birch) was often used as an expression of feminine beauty. With its almost otherworldly appearance, the iris is perfectly suited to the Art Nouveau aesthetic and is featured in many well-known works of art. The poet of that era, Hermann Hesse...
Bronze
French Lily Bouquets in Patinaed Bronze/Brass
Located in Malibu, CA
A striking French bouquet in patinaed bronze/brass. this image shows 1 of the bouquet. Shown in an urn and brass planter, both which are no longer available. Can be used in the firep...
Brass, Bronze
The actress and Benny Blanco tied the knot with style in Santa Barbara over the weekend.
Diamonds and sapphires still played a starring role, but less popular stones popped up too.
