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.
$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
Vase with Narcissus
By Daum
Located in PARIS, FR
Vase with Narcissus by DAUM A vase raised on pedestal with a narcissus plaques decor Multilayer blown-molded glass, colored by vitrification of powders With an acid-etched decor in...
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
Vase "Marquetry with Water lilies"
By Émile Gallé
Located in PARIS, FR
Vase "Marquetry with Water lilies" by Emile GALLE (1846-1904) A rounded vase with a narrow neck, Multi-layered blown-molded glass, An inlaid decor of Water lilies, then finely work...
Blown Glass
Small vase with Clematis
By Daum
Located in PARIS, FR
Small vase with Clematis by DAUM A small quadrangular vase with a narrow neck and raised on foot decorated with purple Clematis Blown-molded double layer glass Acid-etched decoratio...
Blown Glass
Vase with Clematis
By Émile Gallé
Located in PARIS, FR
Vase with Clematis by Émile GALLE (1846-1904) A baluster-shaped vase ornated with clematis. Green, purple and opalescent multi-layered glass. The fine floral decoration was made bo...
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
Vase "Marquetry with Columbines"
By Émile Gallé
Located in PARIS, FR
Vase "Marquetry with Columbines" by Emile GALLE (1846-1904) A very fine small baluster form vase, with spreaded neck. Multi-layered purplish and orange blown-molded glass with inte...
Blown Glass
A "Tristesse" vase
By Émile Gallé
Located in PARIS, FR
A "Tristesse" vase by Émile Gallé (1846-1904) An exceptional and extremely rare vase known as "Vase de tristesse" ("Vase of Sadness"), raised on a molded foot. Made of double-layere...
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
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
"Cristallerie" Vase with Carnations
By Émile Gallé
Located in PARIS, FR
"Cristallerie" Vase with Carnations by Emile GALLE (1846-1904) Vase called "Cristallerie de Gallé" with carnations. Cornet shaped vase decorated with pink and brown Carnations, on a...
Blown Glass
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