Tiffany & Co. Antique Sterling Silver and Glass Cheroot Case, c. 1882

Tiffany & Co. Antique Sterling Silver and Glass Cheroot Case, c. 1882

The thick, heavy rock crystal cut glass has wonderful beaded spiral designs (also referred to as pearling) typical of designs by Charles Osborne, Tiffany's chief designer from 1879-1887. The sterling hinged mount, with a fairly airtight seal, has a wavy design along its upper and bottom edge. The inside rim is engraved 'LTP'.

Rock crystal cut glass objects with Tiffany & Co. sterling mounts are extremely rare. In all our literature, we have yet to find an object identical to this. We speculate that it is a cheroot case, although it may have had another function.

According to Magnificent Tiffany Silver by John Loring, 'In this period (beginning in 1882) there is a collaboration between Tiffany & Co. and the leading English glasshouse of Thomas Webb and Sons.' Loring further states 'This began a successful design and business relationship between Webb's and Tiffany's, which would continue through the 1880's'. (See page 157.)

Although the glass is not signed, it is almost certainly Webb glass. Webb developed the rock crystal cutting style after winning their numerous awards at the 1878 World's Fair (where Tiffany & Co. also won their share of prizes). This appears to be a very early example of their collaboration.

This highly unusual case is marked on the inside rim 'TIFFANY & CO/ m/ STERLING' with the pattern/model numbers '6969/6060'. It measures 4.5 inches long by 2.5 inches wide by 2 inches deep and is in excellent condition.