Vase 1897 - 1903

This is a glass vase, standing almost two feet tall, made by Louis Comfort Tiffany. Notice the abstracted water lily motifs adorning its surface. The lily, a symbol of purity and rebirth, has been revered across cultures, from ancient Egypt to Christian iconography. Consider how the lily, or lotus, in Eastern traditions represents spiritual awakening, floating serenely above muddy waters—a transformation echoed in the iridescent play of light on this vase. The water lily surfaces are stylized into flattened ovoid shapes creating a sense of organic form. These stylized organic shapes evoke the Art Nouveau movement’s fascination with the natural world, yet Tiffany transforms these motifs into something subtly dreamlike, engaging our subconscious associations with nature. The shimmering surface and elongated form also speak to a deeper, more primal longing for beauty and harmony. Like a dream, this vase transcends mere function, becoming a vessel of collective memory and emotional resonance.