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
“Red Amaryllis”
Located in Southampton, NY
This design is a contemporary tile adapted from a finely detailed four-piece panel attributed to Leon Victor Solon in the art nouveau style while he was working at Mintons. The origi...
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
Speaking glass Vase "Je ne cherche qu'une"
By Émile Gallé
Located in PARIS, FR
Speaking glass Vase "Je ne cherche qu'une" by Emile GALLE (1846-1904) Vase called "Cristallerie de Gallé" also known as "speaking glassware", with an old French sentence "Ie ne ser...
Glass
$6,400
H 20.75 in W 7.5 in
"Untitled Vase" Blown Glass, Pink & Blue, Speckled, Sparkling, Signed by Artist
By Charles Schneider
Located in Detroit, MI
This speckled and sparkling glass vase is an exemplary piece of the Art Nouveau period of France and was created by legendary glass-smith Charles Schneider. The pink and blue speckle...
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
$28,250
H 11.82 in W 7.88 in D 5.52 in
Vase Cristallerie with plants and butterfly
By Émile Gallé
Located in PARIS, FR
Cristallerie with plants and butterfly by Emile GALLE (1846-1904) Vase called "Cristallerie de Gallé" with plants and butterfly decoration. Gadrooned smoked glass, decorated with op...
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
Bowl with butterflies
By Émile Gallé
Located in PARIS, FR
Bowl with butterflies by Emile GALLE (1846-1904) Round bowl on heel made in amber glass. Decorated with a reticulated acid-etched background, embellished with enameled butterflies ...
Blown Glass
$62,385
H 8.67 in W 14.18 in D 10.24 in
A large Cristallerie with heraldic Lion
By Émile Gallé
Located in PARIS, FR
A large Cristallerie with heraldic Lion by Emile GALLE (1846-1904) Important and rare vase called "Cristallerie de Gallé" with an heraldic lion. Smoked glass, ornated with an herald...
Glass
Vase with Lake landscape
By Émile Gallé
Located in PARIS, FR
Vase with Lake landscape by Etablissements GALLE Baluster shpaed vase, with lake landscape decoration. Multi-layered blown-molded glass, with acid-etched decor in reserve and powde...
Glass