In early January an extraordinary vase was offered for sale at Sotheby’s New York auction house with an expected price of up to $120,000. It caught my attention not only because there was a BC connection but also because there is an outrageous ptarmigan sitting on the rim of the vase.

It was made 105 years ago by jewelry designer Paulding Farnham at Tiffany & Co. He had invested in a gold, silver and copper mine, Ptarmigan Mine in BC’s Selkirk Mountains. This 65cm tall vase has a gold seal of BC’s provincial coat of arms, the compass coordinates of the mine site and fanciful aboriginal-style designs on the rim and at the base. The silver ptarmigan sits on the rim. The vessel itself at first resembles marbled clay but I read that it is actually mokume, a Japanese technique which sandwiches several colours of precious metals.

Now it appears that the piece has been bought by the National Gallery of Canada for $650,000. So one day when I am in Ottawa I hope to see it. I do think it should actually be shown or even kept in BC. For me it is just  a fine vase which has a bird sitting on it, giving me yet another excuse to apply birds wherever I please!