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
CollectionsOct 25, 2024
Piece of the Week: A Haunting Piece of Mourning Jewelry The pendant, circa the late 1700s, likely was commissioned to remember a loved one who died young.
EditorsOct 24, 2024
From a Witch to Wednesday: The Best Jewelry to Wear With Your Halloween CostumeFor her annual Halloween story, Associate Editor Lenore Fedow pairs fine jewelry with classic and contemporary Halloween costumes.
FinancialsOct 24, 2024
Kering’s Jewelry Brands ‘More Resilient’ Than Other Luxury Goods in Q3 Sales fell 15 percent for the luxury conglomerate in the third quarter, led by a 26 percent drop in sales for flagship brand Gucci.
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for JewelersFrom protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
Events & AwardsOct 24, 2024
JA New York Fall Show Announces Education LineupThe education offerings include a diamond cutting demonstration, a session with JVC President Sara Yood, and a seminar on AI.
Weekly QuizOct 24, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsOct 24, 2024
Phillip Gavriel Releases 2024-2025 Catalog The book features new styles and revived favorites.
SourcingOct 23, 2024
De Beers, Signet Lean Into Finding ‘The One’ in New Natural Diamond Campaign Aimed at a generation that emphasizes self-care and mental health, “Worth the Wait” breaks new ground in the world of diamond advertising.
Brought to you by
Enhance Your Expertise with IGI’s In-Person Courses in NYCThis fall, sharpen your skills in jewelry grading, quality control and diamond assessment.
EditorsOct 23, 2024
The Modern Bride’s Approach to Wedding-Day JewelryEditor Lauren McLemore immersed herself in New York Bridal Fashion Week to better understand the role fine jewelry plays on the big day.
Lab-GrownOct 23, 2024
Q&A: Constance Polamalu on Selling Natural and Lab-Grown DiamondsThe jeweler shared her change of heart on lab-grown diamonds and why she keeps them separate from natural diamonds in her business ventures.
IndependentsOct 23, 2024
Jade Trau Sails OverseasThe New York-based brand is expanding outside of the U.S., with a pop-up shop in London and plans to distribute internationally.
CollectionsOct 23, 2024
See Scott West Jewelry’s ‘Kryptonite’ and ‘Joker’ RingsThey’re available through a retailer that sells luxury products inspired by the lifestyle of Batman’s billionaire civilian persona.
WatchesOct 23, 2024
How to Get a Timex Watch for $1The watchmaker is selling 1,000 “Waterbury” watches for $1 each in celebration of its 170th anniversary.
SourcingOct 23, 2024
GemFair Buys 10,000th DiamondLaunched by De Beers in 2018, the program aims to develop a responsible sourcing model for the artisanal/small-scale diamond mining sector.
CollectionsOct 23, 2024
Robinson Pelham Releases New Jewels Just in Time for the Holidays The new “Ouche” collection brings sculptural designs to the brand, while the expanded “Daystar” collection brings a rainbow of colors.
AuctionsOct 22, 2024
Phillips to Auction Rare 18-Carat Burmese Ruby The auction house said the gemstone could fetch up to $5.5 million at next month’s sale.
ColumnistsOct 22, 2024
The Smart Lab: Tips for Preparing for Your Best Q4 YetFrom prioritizing the customer experience to optimizing inventory, columnist Emmanuel Raheb shares the keys to a successful holiday season.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2024
WJA Foundation Names First Winner of Hedda Schupak Scholarship Journalist Priya Raj plans to use the scholarship funds to further her media qualifications and amplify marginalized communities.
MajorsOct 22, 2024
WNBA Champions New York Liberty Take Home Tiffany & Co. TrophyIt marks the first championship win in the team’s 28-year history.
IndependentsOct 22, 2024
Sissy’s Log Cabin To Open Seventh StoreThe Arkansas-based jeweler’s first store in the state’s northwest region is set to open next year.
SourcingOct 21, 2024
De Beers to List Single Country of Origin for Some of Its Diamonds It will start with rough diamonds that are larger than 1.25 carats and later expand to rough diamonds that are above 1 carat.
CollectionsOct 21, 2024
Pandora Turns Things Upside Down in New ‘Stranger Things’ CollectionThe capsule collection is inspired by friendship and connection, with a nod to ‘80s fashion.
AuctionsOct 18, 2024
Piece of the Week: Babe Paley’s Clip-Brooch NecklaceThe New York socialite’s elegant, transformable piece from the 1960s is headed to auction later this month.
Recorded WebinarsOct 18, 2024
Watch: 2 Experts on the Challenges of Appraising Lab-Grown DiamondsTexas jeweler Susan Eisen and NAJA’s Gail Brett Levine discuss how lab-grown diamonds have altered the landscape for jewelry appraisers.
CrimeOct 18, 2024
The End of an Era: John Kennedy Reflects On 32 Years at JSA On the verge of retirement, Kennedy recounts the most stressful stretch of his time at JSA and reveals what he’ll miss about the industry.
MajorsOct 17, 2024
Retailer Hall of Fame 2024: Gina DrososSignet Jewelers CEO Gina Drosos’ secrets to success are listening to her team and leaning on data to make decisions.
AuctionsOct 17, 2024
Shirley Bassey’s ‘Baignoire’ Breaks Auction Record Part of the Welsh singer’s extensive jewelry collection, the bathtub-shaped Cartier watch went for nearly $72,000 at Sotheby’s Paris.
