Tiffany & Co. Bronze Inkstand with Turtleback Tile (Model 822)

This bronze inkstand, marked “Tiffany & Co. 822”, is a masterwork of early 20th-century American design, blending Art Nouveau fluidity with the emerging Art Deco geometry. Crafted by Tiffany Studios in the final years of its desk set production, it exemplifies the firm’s commitment to both functional elegance and material artistry.

Design & Materials

• Material: Cast in patinated bronze.
• Lid Detail: The hinged lid of the inkwell is inset with a glowing iridescent blue turtleback tile, a signature Tiffany glass element known for its jewel-like luster and organic texture.
• Marking: Stamped “Tiffany & Co. 822” on the reverse, placing its production in the early 1920s, during the final phase of Tiffany Studios’ desk accessory line.

Architectural Elements

• Side Panels: Flanking the inkwell are two scalloped, sloping bronze forms. These gently curved surfaces resemble stylized waves, with subtle ridges that suggest motion and flow.
  • Function: While not explicitly grooved, their shape and placement imply they were intended to cradle fountain pens or dip pens, allowing them to rest securely without rolling.
  • Stylistic Role: These forms also echo the naturalistic motifs of Tiffany’s earlier designs, resembling scrolls or stylized water currents.

Pen Tray

• Front Feature: Integrated into the base is a shallow, recessed pen tray, designed to hold writing instruments horizontally across the front of the inkstand.
  • Design: The tray is subtly contoured, with raised edges that prevent pens from slipping forward.
  • Visual Balance: The tray anchors the composition, balancing the verticality of the turtleback tile and the lateral sweep of the side panels.

Markings and Dating

• Mark: The reverse side is stamped “Tiffany & Co 822”, indicating it was made by Tiffany Studios, not the jewelry division.
• Model Number 822: According to references like Tiffany at Auction by Alastair Duncan, model numbers in the 800–899 range correspond to later desk set pieces, typically produced circa 1920–1924.
• Stylistic Clues: The use of turtleback tiles and roped borders suggests a transitional design—bridging Art Nouveau’s organic forms with Art Deco’s symmetry and boldness.

Historical Context

• Tiffany Studios operated from 1902 to 1932, producing bronze desk sets, lamps, and glassware under the direction of Louis Comfort Tiffany.
• The turtleback tile was introduced in the 1910s, often used in mosaic lamps and select desk pieces.
• By the early 1920s, Tiffany Studios was winding down production, making later pieces like this inkstand rarer and more collectible.