1878 Tiffany & Co. Olympian Series Greek Mythology Motif Custom Sterling Silver Butter Knife

1878 Tiffany & Co. Olympian Series Greek Mythology Motif Custom Sterling Silver Butter Knife This sterling silver butter knife is a distinguished piece from 1878, created by Edward C. Moore, Tiffany's greatest chief silversmith. Edward C. Moore served as Tiffany & Co.'s Director of Jewelry Design and Head of the Silver Studio from 1851 to 1891. Under Moore's guidance, Tiffany artists studied jewelry and objects from various global cultures and historical periods. His designs garnered attention and praise from his European contemporaries. His work earned Tiffany its first silver award at the 1867 Paris Exposition Universelle, a significant honor for an American silver company from a foreign jury. In 1878, he led Tiffany to become the sole American silver company to receive a gold medal at the Paris Exposition. Edward C. Moore was undeniably one of the key figures in establishing Tiffany as a world-leading silverware manufacturer. This sterling silver butter knife is part of Tiffany's Olympian pattern, introduced in 1878. This design was instrumental in Tiffany winning an international gold medal that year. It represents the pinnacle of Tiffany's flatware designs, known for its exquisite and intricate detail. Each piece in the Olympian collection was conceived to interpret a famous classical myth, with motifs varying according to the handle size on different components. The Olympian design comprises 17 distinct flatware pieces, each featuring a unique motif with its own symbolic meaning. The Tiffany Olympian series is truly a design without precedent or equal. Imagine the difficulty of designing just one intricate and complex flatware pattern; here, an entire set of 17 distinct patterns was created, with even the reverse sides differing. It's no wonder it decisively outperformed the European silverware market of the time. The back of the butter knife bears the Tiffany & Co. Sterling PAT 1878 mark along with the silversmith's initial. #This butter knife was likely a custom order, as it features a custom engraving of the letter "H" on the back. Given its complexity and the extensive handwork involved, pieces from this series are rare. I have only found this single butter knife this time, making it exceptionally collectible. Brand: Tiffany & Co. Year: 1878 Designer: Edward C. Moore Pattern: Olympian Custom Engraving: Letter "H" in Gothic script Dimensions: Approximately 15cm Weight: Approximately 27g #The engraving is delicate and refined, making this piece as much a work of art as it is tableware. It invites close examination with a magnifying glass. #Tiffany products consistently appreciate in value, offering both investment potential and practical use. In excellent condition, but as an antique over a century old, it may show signs of its history. Please purchase only if you are comfortable with this.