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
$4,238
H 1.78 in W 1.58 in
Pomme Bouche, Brooch, Claude Lalanne, French, Design, 1990's, Bronze, Jewels
By Claude Lalanne
Located in Geneva, CH
Pomme Bouche, Brooch, Claude Lalanne, French, Design, 1990's, Bronze, Jewels Brooch Pomme Bouche 1990 Edition Arthus-bertrand, Paris Bronze with a golden...
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
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
$8,800
H 15.75 in Dm 5.25 in
Floral Wreath Vase by Paul Dachsel for Amphora c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Tall Amphora vase with a floral wreath encircling the mouth, trailing down on two sides into light green and rose crackling, and finished with a linear "Dachsel style" relief in the ...
Ceramic
$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
Diaspora Vase
By Loetz Glass
Located in Missouri, MO
Loetz Diaspora Vase, c. 1900 Glass Stamped on bottom 6 inches tall 3 inches diameter This Loetz vase in the Papillon pattern has blue iridescent Papillon design covering the exterio...
Glass
"Dancer with the scarf" lamp
By Agathon Léonard
Located in PARIS, FR
Agathon LÉONARD (1841–1923) Lamp "Danseuse à L'Écharpe" "Dancer with the scarf" lamp A very rare sculpture forming a table lamp, made in gilded bronze The scarf hides the light bulb Signed on the side of the dress "A. Léonard Sclp" Cast by Susse Frères (with founder stamp) France circa 1905 height 60 cm A similar model is reproduced in "Les bronzes du XIXe siècle", P. Kjellberg, Les éditions de l'amateur, 2005, page 460. Biography: Léonard Agathon Van Weydeveldt, said Agathon Léonard (1841-1923) was a sculptor of Belgian origin naturalized French. After studying art at the Lille Academy of Fine Arts and then at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, Agathon Léonard settled in Paris for a long time, where after having exhibited at the Salon of 1868, he joined the Society of French artists in 1887, then to the National Society of Fine Arts in 1897. Very involved in the artistic movement of the Art Nouveau style, he exhibited many pieces (medallions, bronze statuettes and ceramics) finely worked. Following an order from the Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres, dating from 1898, Agathon Léonard exhibited at the Universal Exhibition of 1900 in Paris his famous table centerpiece "Game of the scarf" in porcelain biscuit, composed of fifteen statuettes representing dancers with pleated dresses reminiscent of Loïe Fuller's choreographies or Neo-Greek dancers...
Bronze
$1,200
H 5.25 in W 7 in D 5.5 in
Ernst Wahliss Art Nouveau Iridescent Figural Candlestick
Located in Chicago, IL
Figural candlestick with a golden maiden on an iridescent form. This ceramic features a beautiful juxtaposition of the smooth texture of the woman against a psychedelic stone-like fl...
Ceramic
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
$800
H 7.75 in W 4.25 in D 4 in
Amphora Vase with Water Lilies by Ernst Wahliss, att. Paul Dachsel, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Earthy, textured water lily leaf vase with gilted, figural stem arms which encircle the golden mouth of the piece with their flowers. Stamped Ernst Wahliss and numbered in the base. ...
Ceramic
Antique Art Nouveau Cameo Glass Vase Fuschias
By Émile Gallé
Located in Austin, TX
Émile Gallé (French, 1846 - 1904) Title: Art Nouveau Glass Vase Fuschias Medium: Cameo Glass Vase Size: Height ...
Glass
$7,000
H 4.5 in Dm 6.25 in
Secessionist Vase with Raindrops by Paul Dachsel c. 1900
By Paul Dachsel
Located in Chicago, IL
A low naturalistic vase in a rare carmine color of red with purple overtones, featuring an opalescent raindrop ornamentation. Whereas earlier Art Nouveau pottery focused on asymmetri...
Ceramic
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