The hand-crafted kerosene and early electric lighting fixtures created at Tiffany Studios now rank among the most coveted decorative objects in the world. Tiffany designs of any kind are emblematic of taste and craftsmanship, and Tiffany glass refers to far more than stained-glass windows and decorative glass objects. The iconic multimedia manufactory’s offerings include stained-glass floor lamps, chandeliers and enameled metal vases. The most recognizable and prized of its works are antique Tiffany Studios table lamps.
The name Tiffany generally prompts thoughts of two things: splendid gifts in robin’s-egg blue boxes and exquisite stained glass. In 1837, Charles Lewis Tiffany co-founded the former — Tiffany & Co., one of America’s most prominent purveyors of luxury goods — while his son, Louis Comfort Tiffany, is responsible for exemplars of the latter.
Louis was undoubtedly the most influential and accomplished American decorative artist in the decades that spanned the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Rather than join the family business, he studied painting with several teachers, notably the scenic painter Samuel Colman, while spending long periods touring Europe and North Africa. Though he painted his entire career, visits to continental churches sparked a passionate interest in stained glass. Tiffany began experimenting with the material and in 1875 opened a glass factory-cum-laboratory in Corona, Queens — the core of what eventually became Tiffany Studios.
In his glass designs, Tiffany embraced the emerging Art Nouveau movement and its sinuous, naturalistic forms and motifs. By 1902, along with glass, Tiffany was designing stained-glass lamps and chandeliers as well as enameled metal vases, boxes and bowls, and items such as desk sets and candlesticks. Today such pieces epitomize the rich aesthetics of their era.
The lion’s share of credit for Tiffany Studios table lamps and other fixtures has gone to Louis. However, it was actually Clara Driscoll (1861–1944), an Ohio native and head of the Women’s Glass Cutting Department for 17 years, who was the genius behind the Tiffany lamps that are most avidly sought by today’s collectors. A permanent gallery of Tiffany lamps at the New-York Historical Society celebrates the anonymous women behind the desirable fixtures.
Find antique Tiffany Studios lamps, decorative glass objects and other works on 1stDibs.
Tiffany Studios Vine Border Desk Lamp
By Tiffany Studios
Located in Miami, FL
Tiffany Studios "Vine Border" Desk Lamp, circa 1905 with a "Chinese" base, leaded glass, patinated bronze shade impressed "Tiffany Studios, New York, 1420" base impressed "Tiffany St...
Bronze
$15,000
Tiffany Studios, Fleur-de-lis candleholders with snuffers, set of two
By Tiffany Studios
Located in Miami, FL
Tiffany Studios Fleur-de-lis candleholders with snuffers, set of two c. 1910 patinated bronze 8¾ h × 6⅜ w × 7⅜ d in (22 × 16 × 19 cm) Impressed to underside of each example 'TIFFANY...
Bronze
Tiffany Studios "Vine Border" Table Lamp
By Tiffany Studios
Located in Miami, FL
Tiffany Studios "Vine Border" Table Lamp, circa 1910 leaded glass, patinated bronze, shade impressed "Tiffany Studios, New York, 1488" base impressed "Tiffany Studios, New York, 533"...
Bronze
$5,200
H 16.25 in W 9.5 in D 7.5 in
Dramatic Amphora Ceramic with Art Nouveau Maiden in Lily Bouquet c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Incredibly dramatic Amphora ceramic featuring a maiden resting on a trio of lilies, her golden gown cascading into a gathered earthen base. Stamped Amphora...
Ceramic
$1,773Sale Price|20% Off
H 2.17 in W 1.38 in D 0.69 in
Antique French Perfume or Snuff Bottle, Gold Mounted Faceted Quartz & Carnelian
Located in Cotignac, FR
Gold mounted, faceted smoky quartz perfume or snuff bottle with a cabochon Carnelian stopper and bone 'tamper'. The mounts carry French assay gold marks. A European interpretation of...
Gold
"Bellflowers" Vase
By Émile Gallé
Located in PARIS, FR
"Bellflowers" Vase by Émile GALLE (1846-1904) A very rare shell-shaped vase, double-layered blown glass with powder and silver foil inclusions. Wheel-carved cameo decoration ornate...
Blown Glass
$5,000
H 9.75 in Dm 4 in
Grapevine Vase by Clement Massier, Art Nouveau c. 1900
By Clement Massier
Located in Chicago, IL
Ceramic vase in a blue and green metallic lustre glaze by master of iridescence Clement Massier, with clusters of grapes and leaves in deep purple. Signed MCM in the base, and number...
Ceramic
A "Moonlight" Cristallerie Vase with Damselfly
By Émile Gallé
Located in PARIS, FR
A "Moonlight" Cristallerie Vase with Damselfly by Emile GALLE (1846-1904) Vase called "Cristallerie de Gallé" Vase with rounded body and squared collar, Ornated with a damselfly an...
Blown Glass
Exceptional vase "Marquetry with butterflies"
By Émile Gallé
Located in PARIS, FR
Exceptional vase "Marquetry with butterflies" by Emile GALLE (1846-1904) Baluster shaped vase raised on a rounded foot Multi-layered blown-molded glass, ornated with deep engraved ...
Glass
Vase Cristallerie with Acer Leaves
By Émile Gallé
Located in PARIS, FR
Emile GALLE (1846-1904) Cristallerie with Acer Leaves Very beautiful Cristallerie by Gallé Vase decorated with Japanese acer leaves and cobwebs Double-layer glass Decor engraved by ...
Glass
Vase "Erable plane"
By Émile Gallé
Located in PARIS, FR
"Norway maple" Vase by Émile GALLE (1846-1904) Rare baluster-shaped vase, multi-layered glass with powder and gold foil inclusions. Wheel-carved cameo decoration, ornated with mapl...
Blown Glass
Vase with a Damselfly
By Émile Gallé
Located in PARIS, FR
Vase with a Damselfly by Émile GALLE (1846-1904) A rare shell-shaped vase made in blue glass with an enamelled decor ornated with a damselfly flying over water lilies. Signed " Ga...
Blown Glass
Gold Iridescent Favrile Art Glass Bowl
By Louis Comfort Tiffany
Located in Austin, TX
A delicate gold iridescent favrile art glass bowl by Tiffany and Co., featuring a flared and ruffled mouth. Height: 3.25 in Diameter: approx. 5.5 in.
Glass
$600
H 7 in Dm 4.5 in
Cloisonné Folk Art Vase by Amphora, Art Nouveau c. 1910
Located in Chicago, IL
Carved folk art vase, with hand-painted bright cloisonné enamel embellishments. The form's contrasting glazes amplify its intricate carvings and mottled texture. Stamped Amphora in t...
Ceramic
Gilded Bronze & Malachite Table with Vases
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gilded Bronze & Malachite Table with Vases Malachite Table 42"H x 34.5"W Malachite Pair of Vases 27.75"H x 8.5"W x 8"D An exceptional gilded bronze and malachite guéridon tab...
Bronze
Sold
H 15 in W 21.25 in D 4.5 in
Tiffany Studios Gilt Bronze Candelabra
By Tiffany Studios
Located in Detroit, MI
This exquisite antique is a Tiffany Studios gilted bronze candelabra from the early 20th century. It features six arms for candle cups and a cen...
Bronze