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TIFFANY STUDIOS LAMPS GUIDE | DESIGNS, RESULTS, HISTORY

 1. Home
    
 2. Tiffany Studios Lamps Guide | Designs, Results, History


TIFFANY STUDIOS LAMPS GUIDE | DESIGNS, RESULTS, HISTORY

Authentic Tiffany Studios lamps are known for their beauty, expert craftsmanship
and distinctive design. In the antique and decorative arts market, authentic
Tiffany antique lamps command excellent value.

If you're interested in selling Tiffany antique lamps, it's essential to know
what the lamps are worth and why, so you can get the best value. Learn more
about how much Tiffany lamps are worth and how Fontaine's Auction Gallery can
help you realize a lamp's maximum sales potential. Below are a few examples of
vintage Tiffany Studios lamps sold by Fontaine's Auction Gallery.

Get an Estimate


RECENTLY SOLD TIFFANY STUDIOS LAMPS AT FONTAINE'S AUCTOPN

TIFFANY STUDIOS "ORIENTAL POPPY" CHANDELIER

SOLD FOR $665,500


View Details

TIFFANY STUDIOS "AQUATIC FISH" TABLE LAMP

SOLD FOR $193,500


View Details

TIFFANY STUDIOS 18-LIGHT LILY TABLE LAMP

SOLD FOR $72,500


View Details

TIFFANY STUDIOS "ELIZABETHAN" TABLE LAMP

SOLD FOR $90,750


View Details


STYLES AND MOTIFS FOR TIFFANY STUDIOS LAMPS

 

Tiffany Studios lamps have distinct styles that make them truly iconic. They
often feature designs inspired by nature, with popular motifs that include
butterflies, daffodils, dragonflies, Greek keys, peacocks, poppies, fish and
wisterias.


MOST TIFFANY STUDIOS LAMPS FALL INTO ONE OF SEVERAL DISTINCT LAMPSHADE
CATEGORIES:

Favrile glass shades: This term means "handcrafted" and features iridescent
glass.

Geometric shades: This group of leaded glass shades features patterns with
simple shapes such as squares, rectangles and triangles.

Floral shades: This group includes leaded glass shades with floral, leaf and
vine motifs that can either encompass the whole shade or be in a border.

Figural Motif Shades: These leaded glass shades include dragonfly, butterfly,
peacock and aquatic motifs.

Jeweled Feather Shades: This group is usually accompanied with a geometric
pattern below the jeweled feather glass.

Turtleback Shades: These shades can be all turtleback glass or have a turtleback
band that is bordered with a geometric pattern.

Linenfold Shade: These shades are paneled and have linenfold shaped glass.

Overlay Shades: These shades have a glass liner with bronze overlay.


EXAMPLES OF STYLES & MOTIFS

FAVRILE GLASS SHADES

SOLD FOR $72,500


Learn More

GEOMETRIC SHADES

SOLD FOR $26,620


Learn More

FLORAL SHADES

SOLD FOR $665,500


Learn More

FIGURAL MOTIF SHADES

SOLD FOR $193,500


Learn More

JEWELED FEATHER SHADES

SOLD FOR $14,520


Learn More

TURTLE-BACK SHADES

SOLD FOR $66,550


Learn More

LINENFOLD SHADE

SOLD FOR $21,780


Learn More

OVERLAY SHADES

SOLD FOR $6,050


Learn More


HISTORY OF TIFFANY STUDIOS & LOUIS COMFORT TIFFANY

 

Loius Comfort Tiffany, son of the founder of the renowned high-end jewelry house
Tiffany & Co., was born in New York in 1848. Driven by his love for the arts,
Tiffany began his career as a painter before turning to decorative arts and
interior design.

In 1885, Tiffany opened his glassmaking studio, Tiffany Studios, which quickly
grew to prominence thanks to high-profile projects, such as designing for the
White House in Washington, D.C., and the Lyceum Theatre in New York.

From the late 1890s through the 1920s, Tiffany Studios produced mosaic glass
shades with geometric patterns and nature-inspired motifs that became popular
for their stunning appearance. Influenced by his experience with decorative arts
and love for travel, Tiffany took inspiration from Asian and European
craftsmanship, especially the stained glass windows of the gothic era and
Persian glass design.

Today, authentic Tiffany Studios lamps are highly sought after in the antique
market for their distinctive designs and superior craftsmanship. Learn more
about the history of Tiffany Studios Lamps.

Tiffany Studios Oriental Poppy Chandelier


PRODUCTION PROCESS FOR TIFFANY STUDIOS LAMPS

 

Tiffany Studios Lamp Shades: Producing Tiffany Studios lamps was an extremely
complex and laborious task. The company's artisans made lamp shades from
hundreds of pieces of colored glass and hand-selected each tiny section of glass
from thousands of glass sheets. Aside from their categorization, every lamp is
prepared by using the Copper Foil method.

First, a pattern for the lamp is drawn out on a heavy piece of cardboard. Next,
a number and glass color is written on the pattern piece. After the pattern is
drawn and labeled, the glass is laid over it and traced. Once the pattern is
traced onto the glass, the pieces can be cut and ground to their correct shape;
next, the pieces need to be cleaned so the copper foil can be applied to the
edges.

The copper foil solution allows the pieces to adhere together. After the lamp
has been placed accordingly and it is fully bonded, the edges need to be
soldered together for a firm hold. Finally, after the lamp has been soldered, it
is cleaned to bring out its beauty

 

Tiffany Studios Lamp Bases: When the lamps were made, the cost of bronze was
high, so Tiffany Studios made their bases hollow and put a heavy ring of lead in
the base to support the heavy shades. High-end bases have additional decorations
consisting of turtleback, Favrile and blown glass. Tiffany Studios normally put
a turn-paddle knob socket on their lamps, rarely using a pull chain. The bases
were usually made of bronze, and there should be a fading patina or small color
change if they’re old.

Tiffany Studios Poinsettia Table Lamp


HOW TO SPOT AUTHENTIC TIFFANY LAMPS

 

Since vintage Tiffany lamps can command large sums of money, there are many fake
ones on the market. Look for a few telltale characteristics to ensure your
Tiffany lamp is authentic:

Most lamp shades produced by Tiffany Studios were signed "TIFFANY STUDIOS NEW
YORK" and some included a number to identify the style of the lamp. The
signatures were stamped upon a narrow bronze tag or plaque and then soldered to
the shade, usually found on the inside of the lower rim. Direct stamps were made
only on the base, most often found on the bottom. The stamps consisted of the
signature, base number, and occasionally the "TGDCO" (Tiffany Glass and
Decorating Company) monogram. On Favrile shades, the identifying letters and
numbers were etched upon the glass surface.

Not all Tiffany Studios lamps were signed; therefore, the signature cannot
always be relied on. Key features to look for when determining authenticity of
the shade are the quality of glass, quality of craftsmanship that’s most evident
by the leading over copper foil, fading patina or small color change on the
bronze parts, and a rattle when knocking lightly on the shade. The wax used to
hold the glass together will dry over time and should rattle when lightly
knocked, a glass shade that is firmer and doesn’t rattle could be fake. Favrile
shades are identified by the etched initials and quality of the glass.


TIFFANY STUDIOS


RED POPPY TABLE LAMP


TIFFANY STUDIOS


PEACOCK TABLE LAMP


DETERMINING VALUE OF TIFFANY STUDIOS LAMPS & APPRAISALS

 

The value of antique Tiffany lamps varies significantly. Tiffany Studios
"Dragonfly" lamps have an exceptionally high value because of their detail and
complex craftsmanship, but other factors such as condition and provenance can
also affect a Tiffany lamp's worth.

The best way to determine an accurate value for your Tiffany lamp is to have it
evaluated by a professional. Auction houses such as Fontaine's Auction Gallery
employ specialists with extensive knowledge of Tiffany Studios lamps who
thoroughly inspect your items for authenticity, design, condition and other
deciding factors.

 


FONTAINE'S EXPLAINS MORE TO CNBC

 

Published: Monday, 18 Oct 2010 | 1:34 PM ET

By: Joseph Pisani CNBC

When it comes to Antique Tiffany lamps, everyone thinks they’ve got one; it’s
become a phrase. Any leaded lamp is called a Tiffany lamp, adds auctioneer John
Fontaine, of Fontaine’s Auction Gallery, who has been in the business for 42
years. Fontaine's gets about 50 calls a week to verify if a lamp is a real
Tiffany, most are not the real thing. What they’re hoping they have is a genuine
Tiffany lamp that could be worth a small fortune. The originals, made in the
1890s to 1930s by Tiffany Studios under the watchful eye of Louis Comfort
Tiffany, can be worth anywhere from $4,000 to over $1 million. The most ever
paid for an original was $2.8 million.

Floral lamps command the most money, says Jeni Sandberg, a specialist in
20th-century decorative arts. Intense colors are what people favor. Geometric
lamps are generally worth less than the floral lamps. Imitations are common.
Several companies mimicked the Tiffany lamp style in the 1920s with cheaper,
lesser quality models. In the past 30 to 40 years, forgeries have hit the market
that can fool collectors and experts alike.


IMITATIONS ARE COMMON

Several companies mimicked the Tiffany lamp style in the 1920s with cheaper,
lesser quality models. In the past 30 to 40 years, forgeries have hit the market
that can fool collectors and experts alike. So what to do if you think you have
a Tiffany antique lamp in your possession? Ultimately, you’ll need to bring it
to an expert who has years of experience dealing with them. Because Tiffany
produced a lot of custom-made lamps, there aren’t many hard rules. It’s more of
a combination of factors when it comes to authentication. But if you’re staring
at a lamp in your home, an estate sale or antique shop, look for these
characteristics to help determine if it is an original.


THE BASE

Tiffany almost always made its lamps with a bronze base. There were no wood,
plastic, brass or zinc bases, says Tesdell, which are common with cheaper
versions. Very rarely, however, art pottery bases were made.


THE GLASS

Tiffany Studios mostly made its high-quality glass in New York, says Sandberg.
Tiffany used a couple of techniques that makes their lamps stand out. One is
confetti glass, where specks of different colors are used on one of the many
pieces of glass. Secondly, the color of the glass changes when the lamp is lit.


ITS ORIGINS

If you’re in an antique shop or other sale, ask the seller to tell you who the
previous owner was. If it came from an estate or was owned for the past 40 to 50
years by the same person, there’s a better chance it’s a real Tiffany lamp, says
Fontaine. People typically come upon authentic ones through their family, says
Sandberg; either they inherit it or discover it in a basement or attic. It’s
more rare, but some have found originals at antique shops and estate sales.


STAMPS

The base of Tiffany lamps almost always carried a Tiffany Studios stamp with a
number. Many of the glass shades were also stamped. It’s also important to
remember that an item stamped Tiffany & Co., the high-end jewelry and fine goods
shop, is not the same. The lamps made by Louis Comfort Tiffany were stamped
Tiffany Studios New York.


SIGNS OF AGE

An authentic lamp won’t look brand new. There will be what is called patina
fading or small color changes on the bronze parts of the lamp. But even this is
not always fool proof. Fontaine says really good reproductions mimic age on the
base.


LIGHT SOCKET

Tiffany Studios usually made its lamps with a turn-paddle knob socket for on and
off purposes, says Sandberg. A smaller number were made with a pull chain.
Mostly, says Sandberg, companies such as General Electric, Bryant and Perkins
made the sockets. A socket that has been changed could effect value. Some
Tiffany lamps can also have a turn switch at the base.


LEAD FILLING

Because of the high cost of bronze when the lamps were being made, Tiffany
Studios made their bases hollow, says Fontaine. In order to support the heavy
glass shades, a heavy ring of lead was placed in the base. Lifting the base cap
and looking in the base, you should see grayish lead.


KNOCK THE SHADE

Grab the top of the glass shade and knock on the glass lightly. Because of its
age, and the drying of the wax used to hold the glass together, the shade should
rattle, says Fontaine. A firmer glass shade that doesn’t rattle could be a fake.


ASK FOR A GUARANTEE

If you’re buying what you think is an authentic Tiffany lamp, make sure you get
a money-back guarantee. If a shop is not willing to offer one, you might be
spending a lot of money on something that could be a fake. To view listings of
our past Authentic Antique Louis Comfort Tiffany Lamps and lighting and our
antique Tiffany lamp price guide, please
visit https://www.fontainesauction.com/Tiffany-Lamp-Results

 


TIFFANY STUDIOS LAMPS GUIDE | DESIGNS, RESULTS, HISTORY

 

When you want to work with a top seller of Tiffany lamps, trust Fontaine's
Auction Gallery. Consignment for Tiffany lamps is easy and straightforward when
you work with us. Send us information and photos via email or through
our auction estimate form, or make an appointment for an in-person antique
Tiffany lamp valuation, free of charge.

We charge one flat rate with no hidden fees for our services, so you won't have
to deal with separate charges for photography, transportation or insurance. We
also maximize exposure for your item by making our auctions accessible worldwide
and starting our marketing efforts weeks in advance of other major auction
houses.

With extensive market knowledge and international experience, Fontaine's Auction
Gallery will help you get the best value for your antique Tiffany lamp. Contact
us today to find out more about consigning with us.

This very rare Tiffany Studios "Pond Lily" table lamp sold for $3.37 million.


HAVE A TIFFANY STUDIOS LAMP TO SELL?

Follow the link to request a complimentary auction estimate

Auction Estimate

Fontaine's Auction Gallery

1485 West Housatonic Street

Pittsfield, MA 01201

T: (413) 402-6654 E: info@fontainesauction.com

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