Louis Comfort Tiffany’s Medusa

Marion Fasel in Conversation with Alice Cooney Frelinghuysen and Christopher Young

Nov 15, 2023

On the main floor of the Tiffany Landmark in New York City, there are twin display cases along the back wall. One features the 128-carat Tiffany Diamond. In the other is the Medusa pendant from Louis Comfort Tiffany’s first jewelry collection designed during the early years of the 20th century. While the story of the Tiffany Diamond is world famous, the fascinating history of the Medusa is less well-known. And there is good reason for that. The whereabouts of the masterpiece were a mystery since it was sold in 1943 by the family of the original owner, renowned art collector Henry Walters.

Marion Fasel, Alice Cooney Frelinghuysen and Christopher Young will discuss not only where the jewel has been for the last several decades, but they will also review why the Medusa caused such a frenzy at auction recently, how it became an obsession for collectors and curators over the years, as well as all the fascinating design details and unique elements of its construction that have been revealed in new research.

This talk is in conjunction with New York City Jewelry Week.

This program is part of the Gilda and Henry Block School of the Arts.

Categories: Arts & Entertainment

Tags: Alice Cooney Frelinghuysen Christopher Young Marion Fasel

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