Welcome to the World of Tiffany Lamps and Tiffany Style Lamps
Tiffany Lamps: Real and Reproduction
There are Tiffany Lamps and there are Tiffany ‘style’ lamps. We love them both. The genuine Tiffany Lamps are renowned for their style and beauty – and the genuine article is now a very valuable piece of art from the early 20th century.
And of course there has been a whole industry sprung up with Tiffany reproduction lamps and light fittings and a range of beautiful homewares. This site aims to pay homage to the real thing – Tiffany Lamps – whilst at the same time open up the world of Tiffany reproduction lamps and other Tiffany style artifacts. We love the lamps though, we really love the stained glass, and colored glass lamps that are synonymous with the Tiffany brand.
Tiffany Studio has been described as America’s greatest lamp maker. And everyone can appreciate the beauty and design aesthetics of the real thing – but most people will never be able get to see the products developed by the Tiffany Studio, much less own one. They seem to be in a class of their own. They foretold the art deco movement, and they offered a link between the pioneering 19th century and the thoroughly modern 20th century – with its new found wealth, materials and technology. The Tiffany design aesthetic brought art to function, brought colour to greyness, brought style to utility. They real Tiffany Lamp will endure for its quality, beauty and historical position at the juncture between two great centuries. Not everyone can own a Tiffany lamp – but we sure can appreciate them.
What is a real Tiffany Lamp?
A real Tiffany Lamp is a lamp that was designed and made by Louis Comfort Tiffany and his design studio Tiffany Studios or Tiffany & Co. in the late 1800s to early 1900s. They are part of the Art Nouveau art period which predates the First World War.
A Tiffany lamp is simply a style of lamp with a glass shade designed and manufactured by Mr Louis Comfort Tiffany and his design studio, Tiffany Studios. The most celebrated and commonly recognised lamp design is the stained leaded glass lamp. These handmade shades comprise small pieces of glass in vivid colours soldered together to make beautiful designs. There have been many and various designs including the daffodil, humming bird and dragonfly motifs. Tiffany lamps are considered part of the Art Nouveau movement. The real items were manufactured between 1890 and 1930, however the reproduction Tiffany Style lamps have been built on and off since the early 1900s.
Here is a video of a real Tiffany Lamp uncovered through the Antiques Roadshow television show. Wait til you hear what this genuine Tiffany lamp is worth!
Tiffany & Co.
A Tiffany Lamp is a lamp that was designed and made by Tiffany & Co. from New York City. The company Tiffany & Co. was founded by Charles Tiffany in 1839. Louis Comfort Tiffany, Charles oldest surviving son, became Design Director of the fine goods and jewelry company and went on to design a range of goods for which the company became famous for. These included stained glass windows and lamps, glass mosaics, blown glass, ceramics, jewelry, enamels, and metalwork.
Louis Comfort Tiffany was more designer than business man and his design studio grew to become highly fashionable in the late 1890s to he early 1900s.
He started to experiment with glass design in the early 1880s . In 1885, he incorporated the “Tiffany Glass Company,” which in 1892 he renamed to “Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company” and at the turn of the century he renamed the company”Tiffany Studios.” At its peak period the factory employed more than three hundred staff – from artists, designers, glass blowers and other craftsmen.
Louis Tiffany’s first commercially produced lamps date from around 1898, though some of his early prototypes were exhibited at the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago. Tiffany Studios also produced vases, scent bottles, tiles, stained-glass windows, glass mosaics and desk furniture. Lamps and lamp shades were the most
commonly produced items and the company remained in business until 1928.
A ‘Tiffany Lamp’ correctly refers to the genuine article – one that was made by Tiffany & Co. or Tiffany Studios. Today they are highly collectible, highly sought after and fetch significant prices for the astute collector.
Here is an example of a a very rare pottery and glass lamp made by Tiffany Studios. This piece was featured online for sale in the vicinity of $25,000. Wow – such a rare beauty!
And here is another beautiful Tiffany Studios Daffodil Table Lamp. Note the original kerosene lamp and the intricate design yet functional. This one is is for sale for about $40,000.
Tiffany Lamps Now
There is of course a market for the collectible. And the avid collector can source the real thing if he has the means and resources. But the term Tiffany lamp has outgrown the Tiffany Studio well and truly.
Now the term refers to a style that mimics or evokes the design aesthetic of the original artist and products that came from the studio.
Tiffany Lamps now refer to a style -rather than the genuine item designed and manufactured by a turn of the last century factory in New York.
A Tiffany Lamp is one that draws on the inspiration of the original articles – with stained glass and swirling limes and bountiful colours. The charm is irresistible, and the style remains timeless. Today you can have a piece of the Tiffany aesthetic in your house without having to spend the the price of half a house on it.
Tiffany Lamps for Everyone
So the original article is one of great beauty and highly prized. The collector will find a way to obtain one of these beauties. But a range of Tiffany-like products are available to add colour and style to your home without breaking the bank. On this site we will have a look at some of the most popular Tiffany Style lamps available on the market.
I will use the term ‘Tiffany style’ where ever possible. If I stray into ‘Tiffany lamp’ – you will know that it is the loving reproduction that is being referred to.
What is a Tiffany style lamp?
A Tiffany Style lamp is a lamp that has sought to emulate, copy or at the very least be inspired by, the original designs and manufacturing techniques of Louis Comfort Tiffany and his design studio. It is the ultimate acknowledgement of the importance of these products that there has been a whole industry of replicas and copies of these artifacts designed and built about one hundred years ago.
These days there are a number of manufacturing companies make Tiffany Style lamps for sale now.
What is the Difference Between Tiffany Lamps and Tiffany-style Lamps?
A Tiffany lamp is an antique made by Louis Comfort Tiffany and his design studio Tiffany Studios. The manufacturing technique used in the turn of the century factory produced a high quality genuine item. The materials will be aged and heavy and show signs of wear. A specialist antique appraiser should be consulted to confirm the authenticity of any item you may think is genuine.
The vast majority of lamps you see for sale will be Tiffany style reproduction lamps. You will know you are looking at a genuine article by the price! The cost of an original antique Tiffany lamps can go into the thousands of dollars while a Tiffany-style lamp which a is a reproduction or a stylistic interpretation, is more reasonably priced such that the average person may be able to afford one.
How much do Tiffany Lamps Sell for?
Tiffany lamps are highly sought after, and are limited in availability and are therefore very expensive. They are investment-grade artworks. Most sell in the vicinity of tens of thousands of dollars. The highest price paid for an original Tiffany lamp was $2.8 million at an auction at Christies in 1997. There are lots of online resources that have tracked the history of genuine Tiffany Lamps and what they have sold for. There is some interesting television pieces such as Antiques roadshow where Tiffany lamps have been uncovered and a valuation has been provided. Sometimes these valuations give unexpected surprises to the owner of a dusty old lamp that has been stored away up in the attic for many years.
Who makes Tiffany lamps?
There a number of specialist factories that have decided to specialize in making Tiffany Style lamps and selling them around the world. Some of them are based in the United States, whilst others have their manufacturing operations in Asia. Some of the best known companies that make Tiffany lamps include Dale Tiffany, Warehouse of Tiffany, Franklin Iron Works and Amora. These manufacturers sell at many retail outlets and of course online.
What Materials are Tiffany Lamps Made of?
One of the truly attractive features of Tiffany Style lamps is that they are not made of plastic. On the whole, sure there are a few exceptions, manufacturers of these period lamps try to use the same materials that the original makers used. So there is real glass in the lampshades. The glass is lined with copper then soldered together to make the special design. The bases are made from a range of materials and combinations including cast metal, wrought iron, cast resin, porcelain or glass. You should be happy with your Tiffany lamp not being a cheap plastic light fitting because real traditional materials have been used.
Do Tiffany Studios still exist?
Tiffany Studios is the name of the New York based company that designed and manufactured a range of glass products including the world famous Tiffany Lamps. The company operated from 1878 to 1933. Just could not survive the Great Depression. The company was headed by Louis Comfort Tiffany and had a team of designers and artisans.
Is Tiffany & Co an offshore or American company?
Tiffany & Company is an American luxury jewellery and specialty retailer, headquartered in New York City. It has its origins back to 1837 when a 25-year-old Charles Lewis Tiffany opened a store with John B Young to sell ‘stationary and fancy good’. The company grew and changed hands. These days Tiffany sells jewellery, personal accessories, sterling silver, china, crystal, stationery, fragrances, water bottles, watches, as well as some leather goods.
The Best Tiffany Style Lamps in 2018
On this site we will be showcasing the best Tiffany Style lamps available for purchase online in 2018. Amazon is our preferred merchant and there is an amazing array of Tiffany Style lamps available from that site. We have prepared reviews for many of our top lamps and I will list the top five below. Make sure you hop over and check out the review and you can familiarize yourself with the products.
2. Franklin Iron Works Wrought Iron Tiffany-Style Table Lamp
3. 1908 Studios Dragonfly Floor Lamp Review
4. Warehouse of Tiffany’s T18275TGRB Dragonfly Tiffany-Style Table Lamp with Lighted Base
5. Franklin Iron Works Cardiff Iron Table Lamp
And this is a small sample of the many Tiffany Style lamps available. You will find heaps more on this site and across at Amazon if you are looking for that special piece to set your decor off, or provide light to a corner in your room.
