Tiffany & Co. Antique Sterling Silver Aesthetic Movement Sauce Boat, New York City, 1875-91

Various design elements are utilized to create this stunning sauce boat. A cast and applied handle is decorated with floral blossoms with bead centers. A decorative band is applied directly under the shaped, plain wire rim. The stepped base is free of ornamentation except for a simple band of vertical lines.

The oval body with a tall spout is exceptionally ornamented. The back section is decorated with pairs of tassels hanging from scroll devices. Chased decoration around the repousséd tassels are reminiscent of designs one sees on Tiffany's Islamic and Saracenic items.

The decoration on the spout is spectacular. A textured background is used to give the design striking definition. An exotic display of foliage and flowers along with the spiral devices are repousséd. The details on the flowers, leaves, bellflowers and surrounding decoration is hand chased.

This amazing sauce boat is marked underneath 'TIFFANY & CO/ MAKERS/ STERLING SILVER/ 924-1000/ 3904 3095/ M'. Based on the pattern number, this piece dates to 1875 according to Tiffany Silver by Charles Carpenter, Jr. (p.224). It measures 8 inches long by 3.75 inches deep by just under 5 inches high to the top of the spout, weighs 14.30 troy ounces and is in excellent antique condition.