Several years previously, the museum had purchased a vast quantity of artefacts excavated in Cyprus: Tiffany was particularly fascinated by the lustrous surfaces the glass objects acquired after centuries underground.
Working to recreate the effect of ‘nature’s gilding’ by rolling in crushed glass and adding potassium nitrate to the blend, the Cypriote range of vases was a great commercial success. The Met itself now owns many examples.
A 13in (33cm) Cypriote vase was part of an eclectic Berlin collection of art and antiques sold by Dr Fischer (28% buyer’s premium) in Heilbronn, Baden-Württemberg on June 6.
Inscribed to the base LCT K1350, it was expected to bring €2500-3500 but an American online bidder had several contenders and needed to pay €7500 (£6695).
