Lot 174

19th C. Tiffany & Co Ivory Glove Stretcher - Union Square Mark

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Lot 174
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19th C. Tiffany & Co Ivory Glove Stretcher - Union Square Mark
19th C. Tiffany & Co Ivory Glove Stretcher - Union Square Mark
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19th C. Tiffany & Co Ivory Glove Stretcher - Union Square Mark

Estimate: $500 - $750

Starting Bid: $250

(0 Bids)
by Artemis Fine Arts
August 6, 2026 9:00 AM MDT
Live Auction
686 S. Taylor Avenue
Suite 108
Louisville, CO, US 80027

North America, United States, American, ca. 1870–1906 CE. A pair of slender ivory blades, pivoting scissor-like on a central rivet, tapers from gracefully waisted handles to smooth, spatulate tips. Carved from elephant ivory, the implement served a distinctly Gilded Age purpose: eased into the fingers of a tight kid glove, its rounded jaws were spread to loosen the leather, coaxing a snug fit over the hand without tearing the delicate skin. The pale surface has mellowed to a warm honeyed tone, its natural grain visible along the length. Stamped "TIFFANY & Co / UNION SQUARE" inside the handle, the piece bears the imprimatur of America's foremost luxury house. Such toilette accessories, once indispensable to a fashionable wardrobe, speak to an era when dressing was a ritual of refinement and the well-appointed vanity gleamed with objects of quiet, functional elegance. Size: 0.7" W x 2.5" H x 10.1" D (1.8 cm W x 6.3 cm H x 25.7 cm D).

The "TIFFANY & Co / UNION SQUARE" mark provides a tight dating window. Tiffany & Co. occupied its Union Square premises at 15 Union Square West from 1870 until 1906, when the firm relocated uptown to Fifth Avenue and 37th Street. Objects bearing the Union Square address therefore fall within that thirty-six-year span, coinciding with the height of the American Gilded Age, when Tiffany dominated the market for fine silver, jewelry, and personal luxuries.

Glove stretchers were essential grooming tools in the 19th and early 20th centuries, when tightly fitted kid gloves were a marker of gentility for both women and men. The spring action of the pivoted blades gently widened the fingers of a glove that had shrunk or stiffened, a small but telling artifact of a vanished sartorial etiquette.

Provenance: private Colorado, USA collection

SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).

PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception.

This item is made of or contains Elephant and qualifies for exemption under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) as an antique. Due to strict federal and state regulations governing the sale and transport of ivory, this item may not be shipped internationally or to residents of the following U.S. jurisdictions: CA, CT, DC, HI, IL, MA, MD, MN, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OR, VT, and WA.

Buyers are solely responsible for ensuring that their purchase complies with all applicable local, state, and federal laws regarding the acquisition, possession, resale, or transfer of ivory. While we guarantee that this item meets the criteria for ESA exemption under federal law, we strongly recommend that prospective buyers consult with local authorities to verify legal eligibility in their jurisdiction.

Item # 203658

  • Condition: Some minor abrasions and loosening to pins, but, otherwise, very nice presentation with nicely polished surfaces.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000