10 Things to Love About Antique Tiffany Studios Lamps

From the trademarked Tiffany blue box filled with beautiful jewelry to the kaleidoscope of colors achieved in their coveted and cherished stained glass works of art, there are a lot of things to love about Tiffany and Tiffany Studios pieces. Today we are focusing on 10 things to love about vintage and antique Tiffany lamps.

History of Tiffany Glass

Where would this story be if we didn't include a note about the story behind Louis Comfort Tiffany -- a man who achievied the "American Dream" through hard work, innovative craftmanship, and dedication to his craft. Born in the mid-19th century to Harriet Young and Charles Lewis Tiffany (founder of Tiffany & Co.).

Louis was a painter by trade but set his sights on learning the glassmaking trade in the last quarter of the 19th century. He worked under several glassmakers in the Brooklyn region during his first few years in the trade. He learned the art of blown glass and glass making.

By 1879, he joined with several colleagues to create Louis Comfort Tiffany and Associated American Artists. The company lasted only a few years.

Tiffany knew that he was passionate about glassmaking, so by 1885 he incorporated his own business, Tiffany Glass Company. The moniker underwent a slight name change to Tiffany Studios in the early 20th century, around 1920.

During this time, he developed and trademarked Favrile Glass and quickly became one of the most respected and renowned art glass makers of the era.

Image right: This breathtaking antique Tiffany Studios bronze lily lamp features a stunning lily pad motif base, decorated with leaves, tendrils and water lily buds, with a beautiful reddish brown and green patinated finish. Emerging from the center are twelve patinated bronze stems, with slotted receptacle ends that finish with tapered and fluted yellow iridescent Tiffany favrile glass shades. The lamp bears Tiffany Studios NY mark, while each of the 12 favrile glass shades bears L.C. Tiffany Favrile marks and each is signed. Tiffany Studios Breathtaking Bronze Twelve Light Lily Pad Lamp With Favrile Glass; item #226246; Black Rock Galleries' Greenwich Fall Exceptional Online Estate Auction (closing October 25, 2022)

Superior Craftmanship

Authentic Tiffany Studios lamps were the product of unparalleled craftmanship from the pure bronze bases to the hand-crafted shades made by a small, talented group of specialized artisans. These artisans paid careful attention to detail -- fine and broad. The result is a legacy of bespoke and highly valued works of art in the form of table lamps, wall sconces and chandeliers.

Tiffany Studios mark on gilt metal with amber slag glass.

Pristine Lead Work

Over his career, Tiffany worked to perfect his craft. Through trial and error, he was able to perfect the use of lead foil in his works which decreased the leading joint sizes. If you compare Tiffany Studios pieces to other glass works of art, you can see the difference in the leading and joinery -- narrower joints, cleaner profiles. L.C. Tiffany's lead work is pristine.

An example of Tiffany's pristine lead work in joining different pieces of glass to create shapes and patterns.
Tiffany Studios Antique Bronze Arts and Crafts Lamp with Tiffany Shade; item #225597;
Black Rock Galleries' Greenwich Fall Exceptional Online Estate Auction (closing October 25, 2022)

The Kaleidoscope of Colors

During his early years, L.C. Tiffany experimented with glass. He perfected a technique of embedding color into the glass versus others who merely painted the glass. In addition to embedded stained glass, Tiffany created and trademarked his highly desireable Favrile Glass which is renowned for its luminescence and iridescence. His glass making techniques allowed him to create his works of art in a kaleidoscope of color ranges which was (as still is) highly coveted and sought after.

Iridescent Favrile Glass offers a luminescence that can't be found elsewhere.
Tiffany Studios Antique Bronze Desk Lamp with Tiffany Damascene Favrile Shade; item #177618;
Greenwich Fall Exceptional Online Auction (closed November 2, 2021)

Intricate Patterns

When people look at Tiffany lamps they are usually struck by the intricacy of the glass patterns. Typical Tiffany lamp shade patterns revolve around nature themes -- florals, forest foliage, leaves, acorns, and the like.

This stunning Tiffany Studios bronze lamp features a glass shade with green acorn patterns.
Tiffany Studios Stunning Tall Bronze Lamp With Green Acorn Pattern Shade; item #225598;
Black Rock Galleries' Greenwich Fall Exceptional Online Estate Auction (closing October 25, 2022)

The varieties and depth of colors of the glass used in Tiffany Studios lampshades are vast.

Patinated Bronze Bases

Under the watchful and discerning eye of L.C. Tiffany, artisans employed by Tiffany Studios seemingly created each bronze lamp as their own treasured work of art. The patina on the bronze is unique to each lamp and a beautiful testimony to its history and legacy.

The bronze base of a Tiffany Studios Breathtaking Bronze Twelve Light Lily Pad Lamp With Favrile Glass; item #226246;
Black Rock Galleries' Greenwich Fall Exceptional Online Estate Auction (closing October 25, 2022)

The Past is Present!

Architectural Digest stated in a recent article that Tiffany lamps are back in style. We certainly won't argue that point.

We will add that true vintage and antique Tiffany Studios works (in good to excellent condition) have never really lost their allure and have been solidly sought after in secondary markets.

"While Tiffany style lamps were very popular in the late seventies and early eighties. The style fell out of vogue for a while. We're seeing a resurgence of interest in the style," states Grant Panarese, managing partner of Black Rock Galleries.

He continues, "However, if we're talking about true, authentic Tiffany lamps ... the real deal ... the market is strong and has been. But it's all about the authenticity, condition and age."

Tiffany Studios 18" Dogwood Leaded Glass Lamp Shade; item #54548;
Exceptional March Greenwich Estate Auction (closed March 22, 2017)

Art Nouveau

L.C. Tiffany was fortunate to work in an era where several artistic styles were prevalent. One of those was Art Nouveau. "What is art nouveau?" Simply put, it's a style that features flowing curves and intricate linear designs based on natural forms. It was used in both the decorative arts and architecture of the period.

If you look at the lamp below, you'll note intricate flourishes along the streamlined, almost linear stem of the base. Art nouveau at its best!

This stunning antique Tiffany Studios bronze four light lamp features a tall Art Nouveau pedestal base with a beautiful patinated finish.
Tiffany Studios Stunning Tall Bronze Lamp With Green Acorn Pattern Shade; item #225598;
Black Rock Galleries' Greenwich Fall Exceptional Online Estate Auction (closing October 25, 2022)

Arts & Crafts Era Movement

Another movement or period during L.C. Tiffany's tenure was the Arts and Crafts period and many of his works reflect the tenets of this movement. From handcraftsmanship that emphasized the inherent beauty of the mediums he used (glass, brass, etc.) to the simplicity of some of the designs (despite their intricate patterns) to the reliance upon nature to inspire the works themselves, many of the lamps produced by Tiffany Studios have their roots in the Arts and Crafts movement.

For example, the lamp base below features stunning brass artistry in the form of branches on the tree. Simple. Beautiful. Natural.

This bronze three light lamp features an Arts and Crafts branch style base, with four legs with a beautiful patinated finish.
Tiffany Studios Antique Bronze Arts and Crafts Lamp with Tiffany Shade; item #225597;
Black Rock Galleries' Greenwich Fall Exceptional Online Estate Auction (closing October 25, 2022)

Remembering the Gilded Age

J.P. Morgan. Andrew Carnegie. Cornelius Vanderbilt. J.D. Rockefeller. Jay Gould. These were the American industrialists whose lavish spending and one-upping each other lead to the period we now call the Gilded Age. The story of Louis C. Tiffany's New York glass works will be forever intertwined with the Gilded Age as a result.

Tiffany Studios' glass (from stained glass windows to lamps and beyond) are ubiquitous with the Gilded Age and his pieces filled opulent mansions and summer "cottages" by the shore.

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