Tiffany and Co. was established in New York by the goldsmith and jeweller Charles Louis Tiffany in 1837, and quickly became the leading silversmithing firm in the United States under the creative direction of Edward C. Moore (1827-1891). Tiffany retailed and produced silver objects and jewellery in elegant and refined designs for a wealthy and influential clientele. The firm’s innovative designs drew inspiration from a wide range of sources, from Ancient Greek jewellery, Japanese metalwork techniques to European decorative arts. This silver hot water urn was produced by Tiffany and Co. in 1880 when their reputation as a silver manufactory was gaining international acclaim. The urn reflects the revival of both Rococo and classical styles which influenced Tiffany’s teaware designs. It is decorated with fluting and floral motifs and is topped with a finial in the shape of two fish with intertwined tails.
