Charles T. Grosjean (American, died 1888). <em>Napkin Clip, 1 of 2</em>, 1878–1879. Gilt silver and enamel, 2 1/2 x 3 1/4 x 3/4 in. (6.4 x 8.3 x 1.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the American Art Council, 1991.101.2. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1991.101.1-2_SL3.jpg)

Charles T. Grosjean (American, died 1888). Napkin Clip, 1 of 2, 1878–1879. Gilt silver and enamel, 2 1/2 x 3 1/4 x 3/4 in. (6.4 x 8.3 x 1.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the American Art Council, 1991.101.2. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1991.101.1-2_SL3.jpg)

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What are these?

Wow, how beautiful! These napkin clips were designed by Charles Grosjean for Tiffany & Company when John W. Mackay, a poor Irish immigrant, got rich looking for silver in Nevada. He sent Tiffany & Co. a half ton of silver and requested a 1,250 piece dinner service of which these were a part. To use them, the wings would be pinched and the body would separate to clasp onto a napkin.

Its beautiful! I like the simple design. Tiffany did a lot more than lamps?

This toast rack, while it looks very modern, was actually created around 1880. The industrial designer and a leading designer of his time, Christopher Dresser, created forward-looking designs.

Tiffany has created an array of objects ranging from lamps, to stained glass windows, to jewelry (probably the things they are best known for) as well as household objects like this toast holder. On the 5th floor in one of the galleries we even have "napkin clips" on display, made by Tiffany! They are beautiful little butterfly-shaped napkin clips.

So cool! Thank you!

I would like to know what style of enamel these are -- plique a jour or champleve?

Hi--great question! Let me see if we have any info on that, it may take a moment. Are you an artist who works with enamel?

Yes I am!

Very cool! These were made with champlevé.

Great, thanks!

No problem!

Are napkin clips used more like paperweights or for beautiful decoration for the table?

They are used more for decoration and to hold the folded napkins' shape than to weigh them down. These clips were part of a 1,250 piece silver dinner service designed by Tiffany. The table must have looked absolutely gorgeous when it was fully set!

Would these be clipped to clothing?

They are actually Tiffany napkin rings!

Napkin Clip, 1 of 2

Decorative Arts and Design

On View: Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor

DESIGNER Charles T. Grosjean, American, died 1888

MAKER Tiffany & Company, American, founded 1853

MEDIUM Gilt silver and enamel

Place Made: New York, New York, United States

DATES 1878–1879

DIMENSIONS 2 1/2 x 3 1/4 x 3/4 in. (6.4 x 8.3 x 1.9 cm) (show scale)

MARKINGS On inside of one underside of body: STERLING SILVER. On inside of other underside of body: TIFFANY & Co (in arch) /5627 M 6557 (?). On underside of one wing near body: ET in small rectangle (French import mark). On top side of one wing: small indecipherable mark.

SIGNATURE no signature

INSCRIPTIONS no inscriptions

COLLECTIONS Decorative Arts and Design

ACCESSION NUMBER 1991.101.2

CREDIT LINE Gift of the American Art Council

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Napkin clip, gilt silver and enamel, in the form of a butterfly. Attached to the thorax are two spring-hinged wings which, when compressed, open the legs and underbelly of the thorax along a wavy line and spring back to clasp napkin. On thorax, front, is stylized head, the lower part of which, at neck, is formed by a crown, which sits atop the Mackey coat of arms (three horizontal dots above two horizontal bars) in a shield. Below and to the sides of the shield is a banner with the motto: ET DIEU MON APPUI. From the banner depend tendril-like elements that form the interlocking monogram MLM (for Marie Louise Mackey). On under side of the thorax there is a cast-incised spiral at the head and three pairs of legs arranged along open seam. On both obverse and reverse of each wing is an intricate, inlaid, polychrome enamel pattern in which the color fields are separated by cloisonné wires. In the upper part of each wing surface is a vaguely pear-shaped section of pale yellow ground. At the base is a stylized half-blossom with white center and dark orange petals. From this grows three dark orange stems, intertwining, and each with green and white intertwining leaves. Each stem terminates in a stylized lotus blossom (two full, one in bud), each petal of which graduates from pale amber to dark orange and has a white dot in dark orange section. Lower section of each wing surface is leaf-shaped and of pale yellow ground. At base is stylized half-blossom with white center, dark orange petals, each with a white dot. From this grow white-and-green leaves; stylized lotus blossom, each petal of which graduates from pale amber to dark orange with white dot in dark orange part; red stem with lotus bud. En suite with 1991.101.1. CONDITION: Gilt slightly worn; otherwise excellent.

EXHIBITIONS

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor

CAPTION Charles T. Grosjean (American, died 1888). Napkin Clip, 1 of 2, 1878–1879. Gilt silver and enamel, 2 1/2 x 3 1/4 x 3/4 in. (6.4 x 8.3 x 1.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the American Art Council, 1991.101.2. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1991.101.1-2_SL3.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 1991.101.1-2_SL3.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2022

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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