Tiffany's Danner Memorial Window shatters Auction Record

Pursued by 3 determined bidders over the course of a six and a half minute bidding battle, the masterpiece in glass sold to Sotheby’s Global Head of Science & Pop Culture, Cassandra Hatton, bidding from a telephone on behalf of a client.

The Danner Memorial Window stands as a testament to the genius of Louis Comfort Tiffany and Agnes Northrop at the height of their artistic collaboration. This breathtaking glass creation is a symphony of vivid color and intricate detail, bringing to life a scene that feels almost dreamlike. Northrop, a trailblazer in Tiffany Studios and one of the few women to rise to prominence in the field of stained glass design, infused the piece with her unparalleled ability to capture the essence of nature’s beauty and light.

The window’s composition is a masterwork of balance and storytelling. Majestic, fruit-laden trees arch gracefully over a winding river that twists and glimmers beneath the warm hues of a setting sun. The sky, painted in layers of glowing amber and dusky blue, casts its light across a landscape that seems to pulse with life. A field of brilliant red poppies, dappled with the final rays of daylight, adds a touch of vivid contrast and movement, enhancing the scene’s immersive quality.

Designed in 1913 as a memorial to John and Terressa Danner, founding members of the First Baptist Church in Canton, Ohio, the window holds an emotional depth that reflects its purpose. It was an extraordinary tribute, not posthumous as many might expect, but created to honor the couple while they were still living—a rare and touching gesture.

Northrop’s vision and craftsmanship imbue The Danner Memorial Window with a painterly quality reminiscent of the Impressionist masters, blending art and nature in a display of unparalleled beauty. The selection of glass pieces and their meticulous arrangement evoke the shimmering effects of light and shadow, achieving a level of artistry that rivals the finest painted canvases. Each detail—from the river’s fluid motion to the delicate rendering of leaves and blossoms—is executed with a precision that celebrates the splendor of the natural world.

Main Image: Copyright Sotheby’s