Events & AwardsJun 18, 2024
Driehaus Museum Displaying Rare Jewels From Chicago CollectionsMajorsJun 24, 2024
See What Inspired Tiffany & Co. Silver Designer Edward C. Moore
A collection of the silversmith’s personal objects, as well as items created during his time at Tiffany, are on display at the Met.
Crafted in 1866-1867, this silver, silver gilt, and ivory tea set is described in Tiffany & Co. records as “Moresque.” It served as an early example of the influence Persian designs had on longtime Tiffany & Co. silversmith Edward C. Moore. A collection of objects belonging to Moore is currently on display at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. (© The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2024)
New York—Edward C. Moore, the creative force who brought international recognition to Tiffany & Co.’s silver business in the second half of the 19th century, now has his own exhibition.
“Collecting Inspiration: Edward C. Moore at Tiffany & Co.” opened June 9 at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, better known as the Met, in New York.
According to information provided by the Met, Moore (1827-1891) was the oldest of five children.
He trained in his family’s silver-smithing shop and showed promise from an early age, joining his father—a prominent silversmith in his own right—in the partnership John C. Moore and Son in 1849.
In 1851, Tiffany & Co. (then named Tiffany, Young & Ellis) became the exclusive retail outlet for Moore silver.
Shortly thereafter, Moore took over the family business and, in 1868, transferred ownership of the business to the retailer in exchange for cash and shares in the newly incorporated Tiffany & Company.
Moore became a full-time Tiffany & Co. employee, serving as the retailer’s chief silver designer until he died in 1891, just shy of his 64th birthday.
The “Collecting Inspiration” exhibition features 70 silver objects designed and created at Tiffany under Moore’s direction, including the Bryant Vase (1876), the first American silver piece in The Met’s collection; a silver pitcher from 1874 with an “exquisitely cast” elephant head; and a silver and silver gilt swan centerpiece, also from 1874.
“Collecting Inspiration: Edward C. Moore at Tiffany & Co.” opened June 9 at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, better known as the Met, in New York.
According to information provided by the Met, Moore (1827-1891) was the oldest of five children.
He trained in his family’s silver-smithing shop and showed promise from an early age, joining his father—a prominent silversmith in his own right—in the partnership John C. Moore and Son in 1849.
In 1851, Tiffany & Co. (then named Tiffany, Young & Ellis) became the exclusive retail outlet for Moore silver.
Shortly thereafter, Moore took over the family business and, in 1868, transferred ownership of the business to the retailer in exchange for cash and shares in the newly incorporated Tiffany & Company.
Moore became a full-time Tiffany & Co. employee, serving as the retailer’s chief silver designer until he died in 1891, just shy of his 64th birthday.
The “Collecting Inspiration” exhibition features 70 silver objects designed and created at Tiffany under Moore’s direction, including the Bryant Vase (1876), the first American silver piece in The Met’s collection; a silver pitcher from 1874 with an “exquisitely cast” elephant head; and a silver and silver gilt swan centerpiece, also from 1874.
Commissioned by friends to honor the poet and journalist William Cullen Bryant on his 80th birthday, the “Bryant Vase” is a Greek-style vase. It took Tiffany & Co. craftsmen more than a year to make. (© The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2024)
The Met describes this pitcher as “an especially dynamic and successful example of Tiffany’s engagement with works of art from the Islamic world and the Indian subcontinent.” It also noted that the details, particularly the elephant’s head, are a testament to the skills of Eugene Soligny, one of Tiffany’s most accomplished specialty silversmiths. (© The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2024)
Crafted in silver and silver gilt in 1874, this swan centerpiece had a reported retail value of $3,000 when it was made, nearly $83,000 today. According to the Met, the designers who created it studied the swans in New York’s Central Park for direction and inspiration. (© The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2024)
In addition to Tiffany & Co. silver, the exhibition includes more than 180 items from Moore’s personal collection—ancient jugs, vases, incense boxes, and perfume bottles, along with Murano glass crafted in Italy in the 17th and 18th centuries, and jars, lacquered boxes, and robes from Japan.
According to the museum, in addition to being a silversmith and overseeing the silver designers at Tiffany & Co., Moore was also a significant collector of objects in the decorative arts.
He sought inspiration from all over the world, and from all time periods.
According to the museum, in addition to being a silversmith and overseeing the silver designers at Tiffany & Co., Moore was also a significant collector of objects in the decorative arts.
He sought inspiration from all over the world, and from all time periods.
This glass bottle from Edward C. Moore’s personal collection is crafted in chalcedony and aventurine glass, blown with gilded bronze mount and stopper. It dates to the 17th-18th century. (© The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2024)
This dragon-handled jug is brass inlaid with silver, gold, and a black organic compound. It dates to the early 16th century and likely originated from present-day Afghanistan. (© The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2024)
Famed Japanese ceramicist Makuzu Kōzan made this stoneware jar featuring a parade of grasshoppers around 1870-1880. It was used to collect and store fresh water. (© The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2024)
Upon Moore’s direction, his family bequeathed more than 2,000 objects and 500 books to the Met after he died so other people could see and learn from them.
The museum displayed the works together in a dedicated gallery until 1942, when they were dispersed to the specialized departments developed in the decades following.
The exhibition reunites some of these objects, displaying them alongside Tiffany silver created during Moore’s time with the retailer. It also features a number of “seldom-seen” objects a dozen public and private lenders shared with the Met.
“Collecting Inspiration: Edward C. Moore at Tiffany & Co.” is on view now through Oct. 20 in gallery 199.
More on Majors
The Latest
CollectionsMar 13, 2026
A Trio of Jewels from the 3 Gem Award Nominees for Jewelry DesignOur Pieces of the Week honor the 2026 nominees for the Gem Award for Jewelry Design, Silvia Furmanovich, Cece Fein-Hughes, and Catherine Sarr.
WatchesMar 13, 2026
Citizen, Vera Wang to Launch Watch CollectionThe 24-piece watch collection is set to debut in spring 2027.
SourcingMar 13, 2026
Andrea Pooler Joins Third-Generation Diamond Company as COO Pooler, who has more than 25 years’ experience in jewelry, is now chief operating officer of Modani Jewels, Soham Diamonds, and SNJ Creations.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
CollectionsMar 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Sends Gold, Gemstones Into ‘Orbit’McCormack looked to the 19th century’s “golden age” of astronomy when designing her new celestial-themed collection.
Weekly QuizMar 12, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on Friday.
TechnologyMar 12, 2026
Caratwise Launches, Names Former Signet Exec CEO The new smart design software allows jewelers to configure, price, and confirm a custom engagement ring in real time for in-store customers.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
SourcingMar 12, 2026
Grandview Klein Opens New Factory in South Africa The 10,000-square-foot diamond manufacturing facility officially opened in late February and employs 50 people.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
MJSA ‘Future of Jewelry Making’ Scholarship Applications OpenThe MJSA Education Foundation’s scholarships support students pursuing jewelry careers.
AuctionsMar 11, 2026
‘Spectacular’ 26-Carat Diamond Going Up for Auction in London The largest white diamond to come to market in the U.K. in more than a decade, the VVS1, I-color stone is expected to top $1 million.
TechnologyMar 11, 2026
Cast Jewelry’s Rachel Skelly on Coming Back Online Only Skelly shares her plans for reimagining the fine jewelry retailer she re-acquired after it faltered last year.
CollectionsMar 11, 2026
Pyrrha Highlights ‘The Space Between’ In New CollectionThe collection takes inspiration from the emotional space between people, moments, and experiences.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
From the Jazz Age to the Information Age: London Jewelers Turns 100In 2026, the jewelry retailer is celebrating a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
Virginia Jewelers Raise Nearly $30K for Children’s HospitalThe group of jewelers held a jewelry raffle in support of the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.
FinancialsMar 10, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q4 Sales Fall Flat The jewelry giant released preliminary results for the fourth quarter and full year on Monday, with final results slated to come next week.
TrendsMar 10, 2026
Messika Names Julianne Moore as AmbassadorThe award-winning actress is the “epitome of modern allure,” the brand said.
CollectionsMar 10, 2026
Gemstones ‘Bloom’ in Sorellina’s New CollectionThe “Bloom” collection draws from the flower power movement of the 1960s and ‘70s with inlay pendants offered in eight colorways.
Events & AwardsMar 10, 2026
Diamond-Studded Painting Shines at RJO Foundation AuctionThe unique piece was one of the custom works offered at the foundation's recent silent art auction, which garnered nearly $15,000 in total.
TrendsMar 09, 2026
Jake Gyllenhaal Is Bulgari’s Latest AmbassadorBulgari named Gyllenhaal as its brand ambassador for his embodiment of artistic depth, intellectual curiosity, and warmth.
Events & AwardsMar 09, 2026
TJS Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnersAwards were given to four students, one apprentice, and an emerging jeweler.
AuctionsMar 09, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Lead White-Glove SaleThe top jewelry lot of the late model’s estate sale, hosted by John Moran Auctioneers, was an Oscar Heyman & Brothers for Cartier necklace.
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 YearsMoses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.
Lab-GrownMar 06, 2026
Charles & Colvard Files for Bankruptcy, Citing Price PressuresIncreased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.
CollectionsMar 06, 2026
Zome’s ‘Solara’ Earrings Embody Celestial BeautyThe earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.
MajorsMar 06, 2026
Pomellato’s 2026 IWD Campaign Spotlights Economic Abuse“The Price of Freedom” campaign video for International Women’s Day confronts the quiet violence of financial control.
Policies & IssuesMar 05, 2026
Tariffs to Increase to 15% This Week, Treasury Secretary Says Also, a federal judge has ordered that companies that paid tariffs implemented under the IEEPA are entitled to refunds.
