Tiffany Lamps – Where It All Began
Tiffany lamps, known for their colorful lead glass shades and bronze bases, originated in the New York studios of Louis Comfort Tiffany. Here, the son of the Charles Tiffany, founder of Tiffany & Co. jewelers, manufactured his lamps from the 1880s to 1924. After beginning his career as an interior designer for the wealthiest of New York society, he altered his focus over the years to producing works of art on a smaller scale including his lamps, favrile glass, and later, jewelry.
Before 1890 Tiffany table lamps, chandeliers, and sconces were custom made for individual homes, buildings, and churches. They were assembled from a variety of commercially manufactured parts and those which Tiffany had made. These Tiffany lamps were fuel lamps which burned oil and were easily recognizable by their round glass bases.
Over the years, the lamps became more uniquely Tiffany works of art. He was able, with the opening of his Corona glass factory in 1892, to manufacture colored lead glass to his specifications. Tiffany’s lamps then began to take on the familiar nature themes and intense use of color seen in later years.
It was not until the introduction of electroliers that Tiffany Lamps finally assumed their familiar vertical shape as the round glass bases were replaced by vertical bronze. In Tiffanys 1898 catalogue many lamps were available in oil or electric. In addition many Tiffany table lamps, hanging shades and wall sconces were designed specifically for electricity.
By the end of the nineteenth century many of Tiffanys lamps had become more intricate in design. His bronze casting department created bases with leaves, feathers and wildlife. The colorful leaded glass shades particularly reflected Tiffany’s love for fauna, flowers, vines, trees and shrubs and wetlands.
With the electric lighting now available from Thomas Edisons Pearl Street Power Station, the popularity of electric light grew quickly. Though some people resisted change, since for them gas lighting still held some romance. Poets wrote unfavorably about electric lighting and one critic said of Tiffany’s colorful wall sconces in New York’s Lyceum Theater, Who but Mr. Tiffany could have dribbled melted lead so frantically over pieces of parti-colored glass like those blue bulls eyes with electric light behind them?
However, progress was sweeping the country, and the union of leaded glass and electric light was already a sure thing. By 1899 half the Tiffany table lamps presented at the Grofton Galleries London exhibition were electric. Also at this time famous styles like the Pond Lily, the Tiffany Dragonfly, Butterfly and Nautilus replaced the older, single piece favrile glass shades.
By 1903 the place of Tiffany Lamps in the new electric age, and in the world of art, had been assured. The Art Interchanges July issue showed pictures of the new Wisteria lamp, seen for the first time and commented, To the far-famed Tiffany ateliers of New York must the rest of the world come for what is rare and beautiful in the way of objects of every description to conduct electric light.
Antique French Empire style bronze end table with 4 legs
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Keurig 5071 K-Cup Carousel Tower $34.95 Here’s the perfect way to store and organize your K-cups and have them ready whenever you’re ready fo a delicious, hot beverage. This counter piece features a lazy-susan base for simple rotation and the black and grey design suits most kitchen styles. The Keurig 5071 K-Cup Carousel Tower is a perfect accessory for owners of Keurig K-Cup coffee machines. Coffee K-Cups are not included in the tower…. |
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2 Tier Wrought Iron Handcrafted Fruit Basket Stand $46.98 Milano hand crafted two tier fruit basket…. |
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InterDesign York Lyra Squeeze Napkin Holder, Bronze $9.99 This Bronze York Squeeze Napkin Holder is the elegant way to keep napkins on hand. Measures 5″ x 4.5″ x 5″…. |
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Conair BE151T Double-Sided Illuminated Oval Mirror … |
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Renaissance Micro-Crystalline Wax Polish (65 ml) $16.00 Extraordinary wax polish restores, refreshes and protects fine furniture, antiques, precious metals, collectibles, art and much more. It’s also ideal for use as a friction finish for woodturning. It dries hard instantly, resists liquid spillage, does not show finger marks, freshens colors, and imparts a soft sheen. Developed by the British Museum in the early 1950s for fine art conservation, Rena… |
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simplehuman Countertop Trash Can, Brushed Stainless Steel, 1.5 Liters/ .4 Gallons $14.99 Trash,countertop,brushed s/s 6006483… |
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3 Pc. Set Metal Frame Beveled Glass Coffee Table with 2 End Tables in Bronze Finish The coffee table set is perfect for any living room decoration with its beveled glass top and bronze finish frame. Metal frame is designed to be match contemporary or classic style decor…. |
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Meyda Tiffany 14654 2-Light Lily, Mahogany Bronze Finish with White One Of The Most Popular Louis Comfort Tiffany Styled Lamps On The Market Today, Recreating His Famous Favrile Design From The Early 1900′S. This Mottled Winter White Shaded Two Light Accent Lamp Offers An Attractive, Delicate Design Featuring Shades Mouth Blown Of Fine Art Glass. Lily Shades Are Suspended From Stems Delicately Winding Above Lily Pads Bases Finished By Hand In Mahogany Bronze…. |
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Kenroy Home 36121 Rowan 72 Torchiere Kenroy Home 36121 Realistic metallic bronze finish is highlighted with touches of copper penny on raised details. Winged accents perch between cup and urn shaped body leading to a look formal in design and proportion. No matter which room in your home you plan to place it, these lights will be a bright piece worth noticing. Features: -Metallic bronze finish with butterscotch cut corner shade -72″ … |
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Fine Art Lamps 599110 Singapore Moderne One Light Table Lamp in Brown Patinated Bronze Fine Art Lamps 599110 Features: -One light table lamp. -Singapore Moderne collection. -Brown patinated bronze finish. -Steel construction. -Warm translucent mica shade. -Shade has partially closed mica top and metal frame. -Pale cognac hand blown glass body. -Phenolic socket. -Made in USA. Specifications: -Accommodates (1) 150W A-21 medium base bulb. -Shade dimension: 15″ x 17″ x 11″. -Overall dim… |
