Stunning Antique Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver Box Art Nouveau Engraved New York For Sale

An exceptional piece of early 20th-century American silver with a fascinating connection to New York City history, this circa 1911 Art Nouveau sterling silver presentation box was made for Tiffany & Co. and presented to prominent New York hotelier William R. Wood.The box is beautifully executed in sterling silver, with richly worked floral and foliate decoration covering the lid and all four sides. Sweeping leaves, blossoms, scrolls, and organic forms create an almost continuous tapestry of ornament, giving the silver remarkable depth and texture. The decoration is characteristic of the lingering Art Nouveau aesthetic of the period, combining naturalistic motifs with the elaborate craftsmanship associated with luxury silver of the era. A central cartouche on the lid bears an elegant intertwined monogram.The underside is stamped “Sterling” and “Made for Tiffany & Co.”, indicating that the piece was specially produced for retail through the celebrated New York luxury house. TEven more compelling is the inscription concealed inside the lid:
“To Mr. William R. Wood with the compliments of his associates on the Grand Jury of March 1911.”
The inscription transforms the box from a beautiful decorative object into a tangible piece of Gilded Age and Progressive Era New York history. William R. Wood was associated with the Gotham Hotel on Fifth Avenue, one of the city's distinguished luxury hotels of the period. The historic hotel building survives today as The Peninsula New York, giving the box a particularly evocative connection to the history of Fifth Avenue and old New York.Measuring approximately 6 inches wide, 4 inches deep, and 2 inches high, the box has an impressive presence. The interior base retains a thin wood liner, and the complete box weighs approximately 402 grams. Good antique condition with light surface wear and a few small indents. Please review the photos for further condition assessment.The combination of its elaborate sterling silver craftsmanship, Tiffany & Co. retail connection, dated 1911 presentation inscription, identified original recipient, and New York hotel history makes this far more than an ordinary antique silver box. It is a beautifully preserved luxury object with a documented story—equally compelling displayed on a gentleman's dresser, library table, desk, or as part of a collection of important American silver and New York memorabilia.Check out our other antique listings.