The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 18, 2025

Bronze and glass mosaic inkwell that slims slightly at the neck with a bronze poppy-shaped lid reflecting metallic rainbow colors. A bronze strip lines the bottom, curves around the sides and wraps around the inkwell's neck as leaves. Between the bronze stems and leaves, a mosaic glimmers blues, then greens, then oranges.

Poppy Inkwell

c. 1898–1906
designer

attributed to Clara Wolcott Driscoll

(American, 1861–1944)
maker

Tiffany Glass & Decorating Company

(America, New York, 1892–1902)
retailer

Tiffany Studios

(America, New York, 1902–1932)
America, New York
favrile glass mosaic, bronze
Overall: 8 x 10.5 cm (3 1/8 x 4 1/8 in.)
Bequest of Charles Maurer 2018.289
Location: Not on view

Did You Know?

More than a thousand tiny pieces of glass form the mosaic design of this inkwell.

Description

By 1900 Louis Comfort Tiffany had expanded his empire by increasing the firm’s production of “fancy goods,” including inkstands, candlesticks, clocks, small boxes, desk sets, tea screens, and other functional objects. Along with the array of artistic glass designs from his factory in Corona, Queens, works in ceramic, bronze, other metals, and even jewelry abounded. These smaller, more affordable luxury items were designed with as much thought to artistry as the great stained glass windows and lamps through which the firm enjoyed unrivaled success.
  • ?–2018
    Charles Maurer [1929-2016], Cleveland, OH, bequest to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    2018–
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Bifano, Wayne Thomas, and Timothy Lachina. The Wade Chapel: A Story of Art, Spirit, and Family. Cleveland, Ohio: Lake View Cemetery Association, 2019. Reproduced: P. 95
    "Cleveland Arts Prize Celebrates Greatness in the Garden." CAN Journal (Summer 2021): 44-45. Mentioned and reproduced: p. 44
  • Tiffany in Bloom: Stained Glass Lamps of Louis Comfort Tiffany. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (October 20, 2019-October 4, 2020).
    Artistic Luxury: Fabergé Tiffany Lalique . The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (October 19, 2008-January 18, 2009); Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA (February 7-May 31, 2009).
  • {{cite web|title=Poppy Inkwell|url=false|author=Clara Wolcott Driscoll, Tiffany Glass & Decorating Company, Tiffany Studios|year=c. 1898–1906|access-date=18 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2018.289