Tiffany & Co.’s Bryant Vase: The Electrotyping Process

Summary

The Bryant Vase, completed in 1876 by Tiffany & Co., showcases intricate artistry, utilizing both traditional craftsmanship and the innovative electrotyping process. The process involved creating molds of each section of the vase, applying a graphite coating for electrical conductivity, and using copper sulfite and electrical charges to build a copper structure. This was then silver-plated, perfectly replicating the original vase. The electrotyping method, which allowed for precise duplication, played a significant role in art reproduction, manufacturing, and printing, marking a breakthrough in electrical science during that era.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Bryant Vase was completed in 1876 by a team of skilled artists working for Tiffany & Co.
• 😀 Tiffany & Co. spent over a year meticulously crafting the sterling silver vase.
• 😀 Tiffany created a second vase using the electrotyping process, a method for duplicating the original vase.
• 😀 Electrotyping involves creating molds of the vase using flexible material called gutta-percha, made from tree sap.
• 😀 Once the mold hardens, it is coated with graphite to make it electrically conductive for the electrotyping process.
• 😀 The mold is suspended in a copper sulfite bath, where an electrical charge causes copper ions to form a thick copper wall inside the mold.
• 😀 Once the copper wall reaches the desired thickness, the mold is removed, and the copper form is separated.
• 😀 The copper form is used as a master pattern to create additional copies of the vase.
• 😀 After trimming and filing, the copper form is plated with silver using a bath of silver cyanide and electrical charge.
• 😀 The final silver-plated vase is oxidized to match the appearance of the original sterling silver vase.
• 😀 The electrotyping process allows for the mass duplication of works of art and has applications in manufacturing and the printing industry.

Q & A

Who completed the Bryant Vase, and when was it finished?

The Bryant Vase was completed in 1876 by a team of skilled artists working for Tiffany & Co.

What process did Tiffany use to create a second version of the Bryant Vase?

Tiffany created a second version of the Bryant Vase using the electrotyping process.

What is the first step in the electrotyping process?

The first step in the electrotyping process involves taking molds of each section of the vase.

What material is used for the mold in electrotyping?

In electrotyping, a flexible molding material called gutta-percha, derived from the sap of an East Indian tree, is used for the mold.

Why is graphite applied to the mold during electrotyping?

Graphite is applied to the mold to make the interior electrically conductive, allowing the electrotyping process to proceed.

How is the electrotyping process carried out after the mold is prepared?

After the mold is prepared, it is suspended in a copper sulfite bath with a piece of copper, and an electrical charge is applied, causing copper ions to form a thick copper wall inside the mold.

What happens once the copper wall reaches the desired thickness?

Once the copper wall reaches the desired thickness, the mold is removed from the bath, and the copper form is separated from the mold.

How is the copper vase turned into a silver version?

The copper vase is plated with silver by immersing it in a bath of silver cyanide, where an electrical charge is applied to deposit a layer of silver on the copper surface.

How does the final electrotyped vase compare to the original Tiffany-made vase?

The final electrotyped vase, while made in much less time, appears identical to the original Tiffany vase in every minute detail, although the electrotyped version is made from copper and coated with silver.

What other fields benefited from the electrotyping process?

Electrotyping had far-reaching applications, including in the duplication of works of art, manufacturing, and the printing industry.