MARK OF TIFFANY & CO., NEW YORK, CIRCA 1885

Based on similar examples, this pitcher was likely designed by Charles Osborne for Tiffany & Co. An example of similar dripping seaweed and high relief figures can be found on one of Osborne’s trophies for the Goelet Bennett yacht races in the collection of the Indianapolis Museum of Art (Accession Number 2016.362). Additionally, similar figures can be found on The Ogden Goelet and James Gordon Bennett Cup of 1894, sold in these rooms, 20 January 2005, and on the Goelet Trophy Bowl in the collection of the Museum of the City of New York (Accession Number M39.1.1). Finally, a coffee pot sold in these rooms, 19 January 2018, lot 247, displays Osborne’s distinctive curling pearl decoration, reminiscent of octopus tentacles, such as seen around the neck of the present lot.

Charles Osborne left a position as chief designer at Whiting Manufacturing Company to take a design position at Tiffany in 1878, where he worked until 1887. During his tenure at Tiffany, Osborne was known for his marine motifs and swirling forms, as described above, as well as his mastery of Japanesque design.