Tyg 1900 - 1920

Louis Comfort Tiffany crafted this Tyg from glass sometime between 1900 and 1932. Tiffany, son of the famous jeweler, was a leading figure in the Art Nouveau movement, a period characterized by its embrace of organic forms and innovative techniques. This vessel, with its iridescent surface and sinuous lines, embodies the movement's aesthetic. The Tyg, a type of drinking vessel, was a historical reference, often associated with communal drinking and celebrations. Tiffany's choice to recreate this form speaks to a fascination with the past, filtered through a modern lens. Consider the social context: the late 19th and early 20th centuries were times of rapid industrialization and urbanization, which impacted traditional ways of life. Artists like Tiffany sought solace and inspiration in nature and in historical periods. What does it mean to repurpose the past, especially when the past is itself filled with class division? What stories and memories might this vessel hold, if only it could speak?