Sirott Collection

report from Lisa Ackerman Baldwin

Good Morning, Alan, Dan and I went up to The Huntington Monday to see the Sirott collection of 32 Tiffany Favrile vases. I know it’s not Carder, but I wrote a ‘report’ to the Elegant group, and included a link to the Carder Club’s shape index for a shade with Intarsia technique. I wanted to compare it to the Byzantine pieces Tiffany made in the exhibit.

I know many folks travel during the winter months, perhaps even coming to California during the Holidays. I think any lover of fine arts would be happily amused by a trip to the Huntington Library and Gardens as would those in their company. Even moseying around on the Huntington’s website can be a fun diversion.

As our annual membership to the Huntington Library is about to run out, we thought we would dash up to San Marino yesterday to take in the small but breath taking exhibit of 32 lovely Tiffany & Co. Favrile vases that are on display until February 26th of next year. Click here to see the link to The Huntington Exhibit website
The collection is on loan from Stanley and Delores Sirott.

My pictures of course aren’t as nice as the ones in the link, but please indulge my comments a bit.

The vases are grouped by technique. These show examples of their Byzantine inlay, which is similar to what Mr. Frederick Carder’s gaffers were doing on this side of the pond. Here is a LINK to the Carder Steuben Club’s shape index website showing a shade with Intarsia border.

Here is close up detail of the base of the large green vase which is the signature image of the exhibit. This technique was used for the top too. Can’t imagine how they would do this!

There are two large Peacock vases, both circa 1898. They reminded me of a favorite exhibit at Corning that Dan and I saw of a rare Tiffany lamp that had been conserved after a catastrophe happened at the former owner’s home. Here is a link to the CMOG’s website that discusses how that puzzle was solved with the help of much patience and modern acrylic adhesive. CMOG Tiffany Lamp . The lamp was rare for many reasons, one of which was that it was an oil lamp. Most of what we think of when we say, “Tiffany Lamp” are electric. I had the privilege to meet the former owner, not knowing at the time what piece she and a mutual friend were talking about. I’m SO glad she and her late husband gave it to the CMOG!

Here is a close up of the other Peacock vase, same circa. What is astounding to me is that it looks as if the feather is hand painted. It isn’t!

The room they are shown in isn’t enormous. But on a Monday it was quiet and we had all the time we wished in there. It is within the Scott Galleries which houses American art. There are paintings and sculpture in there as well as some outstanding examples of American made sterling silver such as a Tiffany & Co. Chrysanthemum tea set, and a Gorham Martele sterling set! This gallery is a short walk through the Camellia Garden.

There are other galleries to peruse also, as I’m sure you are aware. A world class museum…and it’s freeway close near Pasadena! Thank you Sirotts and The Huntington for a lovely afternoon! 🙂 Lisa