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 New York Pine Needle Pattern Bronze Doré Letter Opener
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period gilt bronze and slag glass "Pine Needle" pattern letter opener By Tiffany Studios (signed on the side) New York, USA, Early 20th Century...
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Grapevine Bronze Doré Letter Opener
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts or Art Nouveau period "Grapevine" pattern gilt bronze and Favrile slag glass letter opener By Tiffany Studios (signed on the side) New York, USA, ...
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Letter Opener
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique bronze "Zodiac" letter opener By Tiffany Studios (signed on the side) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 10.5"W x 1"D x 0.38"H. Good original vintage ...
Bronze
Sold|$476
H 0.5 in W 1 in D 10.25 in
Tiffany Zodiac letter opener with fantastic patina # 1095 Arts and Crafts
By Tiffany Studios
Located in Mobile, AL
A gorgeous Tiffany Studios Zodiac pattern letter opener. These retains significant amounts of red colored patina and some green. And, although gorgeous, please note there is a ripp...
Bronze
$12,000
H 13 in W 9.5 in D 5.75 in
Tiffany Studios Bronze Desk Lamp on Circular Fluted Base, New York. Circa 1920
By Tiffany Studios
Located in Charleston, SC
Tiffany Studios bronze desk lamp with original iridescent shade, scrolled bulbous harp, and resting on circular fluted base with the original five bal...
Bronze, Wire
Tiffany Studios Bronze Inkwell New York Bookmark Pattern
By Tiffany Studios
Located in Toledo, OH
Lovely bronze inkwell from Tiffany Studios in the New York Bookmark pattern. Beautifully detailed octagonal design with round lid. Marked Tiffany Studios 1094. 3" x 3" x 2 1/2" tall.
Bronze
Antique Italian Dolphin Venice Bronze Letter Opener, 1920s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful antique bronze letter opener dating to the 1920s or earlier, crafted by an unknown sculptor. This beautiful Art Nouveau piece displays graceful, flowing lines and subtle ...
Marble, Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York "Damascene Harp" Desk Lamp
By Louis Comfort Tiffany, Tiffany Studios
Located in New York, NY
This desk lamp by Tiffany Studios, dating from circa 1910, features a damascene favrile glass shade on an adjustable patinated bronze harp base. With dichroi...
Bronze
Edgar Brandt Bronze Paper Knife/Letter Opener
By Edgar Brandt
Located in NANTES, FR
Art Nouveau letter opener, circa 1905, in bronze. Decorated with ginkgo biloba leaves, stamped E. Brandt. In perfect condition. Length: 20 cm Width: 3.3 cm Thickness: 1 cm Weight...
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York "Zodiac" Desk Blotter Ends
By Tiffany Studios, Louis Comfort Tiffany
Located in New York, NY
A pair of gilt bronze “Zodiac” desk blotter ends by Tiffany Studios New York. The blotter ends each feature intricate pseudo-Celtic patterning intersperse...
Bronze, Enamel
Tiffany Studios Pine Needle Pattern Hankerchief Box
By Tiffany Studios
Located in Bronx, NY
This vintage early 20th century Tiffany Studios, New York “handkerchief” box is designed in caramel color favrile art glass with a pine needle pattern...
Brass
Tiffany Studios Zodiac Gilt Bronze Inkwell No. 1072
By Tiffany Studios
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Tiffany Studios gilt bronze inkwell. In the Zodiac pattern. Model no. 1072. Simply iconic Tiffany design! Date: Early 20th Century Overall Condition: It is in overall goo...
Bronze
Antique Tiffany Studios Bronze Doré Pen Tray Neoclassical Taste
By Tiffany Studios
Located in Norwich, England
Antique Tiffany Studios New York gilt bronze pen tray/desk tidy. Neoclassical Taste. Maker's Stamp. Circa 1900. The tray has a lovely patina, commensurate with age and use. Showing ...
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Bronze Greek key Trinket box
By Tiffany Studios
Located in Buffalo, NY
Tiffany Studios New York Bronze Greek key Trinket / cigar box ,,, cedar lined,, Wonderful little decorative item,, Amazing finish , patina, Signed but very difficult to read,,
Bronze
Antique Tiffany Studios Zodiac 6-Piece Bronze Doré Desk Set
By Tiffany Studios
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This lovely 6-piece bronze doré desk set was made by Tiffany Studios of New York. The early 20th-century set has a warm golden finish with its original patina and has been made in Tiffany's popular Zodiac motif featuring stylized depictions of the 12 signs of the Zodiac set in ovoid cartouches. The Zodiac signs are set amongst intricate Celtic-style knots. The desk set is comprised of a 2-row letter rack, a pair of desk blotter ends, a pen tray, a letter opener, and a large inkwell fitted with a hinged lid. The inkwell comes complete with its original clear glass ink reservoir. This particular selection of pieces is quite practical and represents an ideal manner in which to start a collection of Tiffany Zodiac desk set...
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Adam Pattern Bronze Doré Letter Opener
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period gilt bronze "Adam" pattern letter opener By Tiffany Studios (signed on the side) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measure...
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Doré Letter Opener
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period gilt bronze letter opener featuring Zodiac designs By Tiffany Studios (signed on the side) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Me...
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Adam Bronze Letter Opener
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period bronze Neoclassical or Adam style letter opener By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Century ...
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Pattern Bronze Doré Letter Opener
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts and Craft or Art Deco period gilt bronze "Zodiac" pattern letter opener By Tiffany Studios (signed on the side) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures:...
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Doré Letter Opener
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique gilt bronze and enamel letter opener featuring Zodiac designs By Tiffany Studios (signed on the side) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 9.5"W x 1"D x ...
Bronze, Enamel
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Letter Opener
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique bronze Zodiac letter opener By Tiffany Studios (signed on the side) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 10.5"W x 1"D x 0.38"H. Good original vintage co...
Bronze
Sold
H 6.25 in W 10.25 in D 3 in
Antique Tiffany Studios Gilt Bronze Figural & Tiered Letter Holder, c1910
By Tiffany Studios
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique letter holder by Tiffany Studios offers gilt bronze tiered construction with foliate and scroll Persian style pattern and lower band o...
Metal, Bronze
Sold
H 2.25 in W 5.5 in D 3.88 in
Tiffany Studios Venetian Pattern Bronze Desk or Dresser Box No. 1680
By Tiffany Studios
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A wonderful gilt bronze Tiffany Studios hinged box from a desk set. In the Venetian pattern, with a stepped base, and decorated with stylized flowers, leaves, scrolls, and faux st...
Bronze