Tiffany's "Lap Over Edge" sterling acid etched and applied mixed metals silver pattern is one of the most rare of all Tiffany sterling silver flatware patterns ever made. Unlike most of Tiffany's other patterns, which get their ornamentation and details from the aid of being die struck by a drop press, Lap Over Edge is largely done by hand.
The patterns starts with a plain sterling silver flatware base that is stamped out by machine. The next step is that a silversmith will hand decorate this blank silver canvas by using his or her hammer and other tools to chase, etch and solder on hand applied additional pieces of silver or other metals to effectively transform the flatware piece into an extraordinary work of art.
All decoration and detail work on Lap Over Edge was 100% completely done by hand. Each individual piece is utterly unique and no two pieces are exactly the same. The program for this handworked flatware pieces instituted by Tiffany lasted from approximately 1872-1880. The items were clearly much more costly to produce because of the labor intensity and design work planning that each piece required. Because of the higher price, there were few pieces of this pattern sold in comparison to other Tiffany patterns and today they are amongst the very rarest in the silver market place.
There are four main value levels within this pattern based on craftsmanship & detail: Level 1: Lap Over Edge with no decoration and completely plain - This is the die struck base only - no hand work. Retail Value: $75 - $125 per troy ounce.
Level 2: Lap Over Edge with hand acid etching and chasing detail work Retail Value: $125-$300 per troy ounce.
This 224 Piece 238 troy ounce set of Lap Over Edge sold recently at Live Auctioneers for $39,680 with buyer's premium which equates to $166.72 per troy ounce.
Level 3: Lap Over Edge with applied metal work, but with no other metals Retail Value: $300- $500 per troy ounce
Level 4: Lap Over Edge with applied mixed metals work including brass, copper and gold. Retail Value: $500-$1,000 per troy ounce.
Prices vary within each range based on aesthetic style and themes.
Designer:
Lap Over Edge was designed by Charles Grosjean (1841-1888). Grosjean worked in his family's firm which produced high end silverware to prominent New York City retailers, including Tiffany. Upon his father's death, the younger Grosjean left his family firm to become the superintendent of Tiffany's silver factory in 1868. He had great background in silver and was an artist and was referred to as "one of the best living decorators of silver". He was a teacher in the Tiffany School and designed a few full lines of sterling patterns for Tiffany in his time with the company including Chrysanthemum and English King.
Holy Grail Set: This huge 135 Piece Set of Lap Over Edge is being offered for sale at $200,000-$300,000 on 10/26/23 at Heritage Auctions:
If you have the money to purchase this set, you'll probably save 50 years of time of trying to collect and assemble this on your own. 11-20-23 Update - The set sold for $190,000 and with buyer's premium $237,000. It sold for $1000.00 per ounce!
See more examples of Lap Over Edge by Tiffany on Ebay:
Conclusion:
This extraordinary Tiffany pattern is not very extant in the marketplace and will likely continue to appreciate in value over time due to its extremely low amount of inventory that will ever be available.
We Buy! We want to purchase silver pieces like the ones shown above! If you have items that you'd like to sell, or even just want to get an idea on valuation
please click the email us button for a quote.
Please send us photos, measurements and item descriptions. Thanks, Greg Arbutine
Silver Museum Owner
The Silver Museum buys Lap Over Edge by Tiffany. Please sell your Lap Over Edge Sterling Silver by Tiffany to The Silver Museum!
Great Pattern!
That is one unique and beautiful pattern!