This is a private one-of-a-kind silver pattern that was designed for William K. Vanderbilt by Tiffany in 1884. One description I found stated that the flat pieces have an Olympian woman and a stag while the hollow handles have an Olympian man and a lion. Another catalog said the forks and spoons were decorated with the Vanderbilt Coat of Arms on the front. The back of the pieces had Vanderbilt's monogram (WKV) "entwined" with a stag's head. The knives have a scene of Hercules and a lion on the front with his monogram above a lion on the back.
The Sothebys Catalog stated that "This pattern, one of only about ten private few patterns produced by Tiffany in the 19th century, was made for William Kissim Vanderbilt and his redoubtable wife, Alva."
In 2005 Sixty-five pieces of the set (13 dinner knives, 13 dinner forks, 13 dessert knives, 13 dessert forks, and 13 dessert spoons), sold for $42,000 (est. $25,000/35,000).
(Back)
A service for 8 sold at auction in Dallas for over 35,000 in April
ReplyDeleteThe last time part of the service was sold there was much a do among the family.
ReplyDeleteThe last time part of the service was sold there was much a do among the family.
ReplyDelete