Artist:Charles T. GrosjeanTiffany & Company
Medium: Gilt silver and enamel
Geograhical Locations:
Dates:1878–1879
Dimensions: 2 1/2 x 3 1/4 x 3/4 in. (6.4 x 8.3 x 1.9 cm)
Collections:
Museum Location: Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor
Exhibitions:
Accession Number: 1991.101.2
Image: 1991.101.1-2_SL3.jpg,
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.