Physical Dimensions: w162.6 x h132.08 x d10.16 mm (work)
Label Copy: This mosaic employing one of Tiffany's signature motifs -the peacock- was the centerpiece of the foyer to the Havemeyer's opulent house; it was placed over the large fireplace that dominated the room. Tiffany has used a wide variety of glass types in this mosaic - translucent, opaque, cabochon, and gem-cut glass among them - making it a true technical tour de force. Some portions, such as the scrolling vine motif along the bottom of the mosaic (which is repeated in the palmette mosaic frieze) are flat, two-dimensional decorative passages. Other parts are richly descriptive of three-dimensional form, such as the crimped and folded glass that comprises the bodies of the peacocks, who face each other in heraldic fashion with magnificent spreading tails. Tiffany devised a creative means of depicting the tail feathers: clear, rippled glass with an iridescent surface has copper foil behind it, providing a characteristic reflective luster.