New York Tiffany Studios’ Exquisite ‘Scarab’ Humidor Box

First offered through Tiffany & Co., this stunningly naturalistic humidor, which is believed to have been carved from a single piece of wood by Joseph Briggs, was featured in Tiffany & Co.’s Blue Books from 1906 to 1912. The two Favrile glass scarabs reflect a fascination with Ancient Egypt that began in the 1860s with the first archaeological explorations and continued through the Art Nouveau and Art Deco periods. The scarab represented the Egyptian sun god Khepri and was a symbol of resurrection. The ancient Egyptians placed scarabs on mummies for good luck and protection against evil as they made their journey to the next world.