Vase 1893 - 1896

This vase was made by Louis Comfort Tiffany, using innovative glassblowing techniques to achieve its vibrant colors and flowing forms. Tiffany explored the inherent qualities of glass, manipulating molten material to capture light and create organic, iridescent effects. Notice how the surface shimmers, a result of layering different metallic oxides within the glass matrix. This wasn't just decoration; it was about revealing the material's potential. The vase was produced in an industrial context, but the skilled labor of glassblowers was essential to bring Tiffany’s vision to life. While his company mass-produced many designs, each piece still required the hand of an artisan. This is a challenge to the traditional boundaries of art and craft, questioning the values that we place on each. By appreciating the making process, we can understand the social and cultural forces that shaped this exquisite object.