This gilt bronze Block Calendar is an extremely rare piece from Tiffany Studios’ Venetian Desk Set, one of the company’s most elaborately decorated desk sets. The Venetian Set is beloved by Tiffany collectors for its scrolling Renaissance-style decoration; in sales booklets distributed by Tiffany Studios in the early 20th century, the company touted the Venetian set’s “richly chased ornament.”
The original gold patina on this example is in exceptional condition. The flat bronze panel has been decorated on both sides with the Venetian Desk Set’s low relief decoration, the intricate patterns enhanced with the original polychrome enamel in shades of deep red, green and blue. At the foot of the slanted base, a horizontal register depicts deeply carved ermine in alternating poses, interspersed with clusters of leaves accented by red enamel dots representing berries or fruit, with additional scrolling and foliate decoration above.
This rare and special example of Tiffany metalwork is stamped with firm’s mark and model number.
Height: 4 ¼ inches (10.8 cm)
Width: 5 inches (12.7 cm)
Depth: 5 inches (14.6 cm)