New York Tiffany Studios Decorated Beehive – Style Paperweight Vase

This intricate beehive paperweight draws inspiration from Roman ribbon mosaic glass, a style avidly collected by Tiffany’s mentor, Edward C. Moore. The ribbon mosaic pattern was created using sections of clear glass interspersed with irregular splashes of ochre and blue-green. Both the interior and exterior were coated with a luminous gold iridescence, while a gold iridescent ogival pattern was skillfully applied using a pontil. Originating in 11th-century Byzantine textiles, the ogival motif became a prominent design element across Italy, Ottoman Turkey, North Africa, and the Balkans. To highlight the complexity of the underlying glass, the center of each ogive was polished away, revealing the intricate craftsmanship beneath.