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 "Twelve Light Lily" Table Lamp
By Tiffany Studios
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite Tiffany Studios New York "Twelve-light lily" lamp marks the combination of two of Tiffany's favorite floral motifs, the pond lily, and the morning glory. These shades ...
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York "Seven-light Lily” Table Lamp
By Tiffany Studios
Located in New York, NY
This Tiffany Studios New York glass and bronze "Seven Light Lily" table lamp, features seven golden iridescent Favrile glass "Lily" shades on individual gilt bronze stems extending u...
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York "Newell Post" Favrile Glass Desk Lamp
By Louis Comfort Tiffany, Tiffany Studios
Located in New York, NY
The "Newell Post" lamp by Tiffany Studios New York, features three gold Favrile glass shades with purple iridescence, suspended from a gilt bronze “Wilson”...
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York "Belted Turtleback" Chandelier
By Tiffany Studios
Located in New York, NY
The "Belted Turtleback" Chandelier by Tiffany Studios New York is a refined study in monochromatic expression. Separated into three distinct tiers, the conical lamp shade offers a ma...
Bronze
Pair of Tiffany Studios New York "Globe" Glass and Bronze Chandeliers
By Tiffany Studios, Louis Comfort Tiffany
Located in New York, NY
This enchanting pair of Tiffany Studios New York "hanging globe" chandeliers are composed of two reticulated glass shades. Tiffany’s idea of blowing glass through openwork bronze had evolved in the 1890s with a series of Byzantine revival fuel lamps. The technique was popularized by 19th-century Muranese Glassmakers Salvati as a derivation of the Ancient Roman cage cup (vasa diatreta). In the 4th century, Roman glassmakers encased blown glass vessels in a delicate cage of glass. In Tiffany’s version, glass is blown through an ogival pattern cage. Originating in 11th-century Byzantine textiles, the ogival pattern became established in Italy, Ottoman Turkey, North Africa, and as far west as the Balkans. Product Details: Item #: L-20851 Artist: Tiffany Studios New York Country: United States Circa: 1900 Dimensions: 7.5” length, 18" length (with chain) Materials: Favrile Glass, bronze Literature: A similar example is pictured in Tiffany Lamps and Metalware by Alastair Duncan, pg 290, illustration number 135. Macklowe Gallery Curator's Notes: Tiffany’s globe...
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
Tiffany Studios New York Bronze Three-Light Candelabrum, 1920s
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period bronze and brass triple candelabrum By Tiffany Studios New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 10.5"W x 4.5"D x 10.75"H. Good orig...
Brass, Bronze
Wonderful Pair of Tiffany Studios Dore Bronze Art Nouveau Two Arm Candelabras
By Tiffany Studios
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful pair of Tiffany Studios Poppy flower bud centers candelabrum, in the Art Nouveau Design finished in doré bronze gold finish Stamped: Ti...
Bronze
Pair Tiffany Studios No. 1312 Patinated Bronze & Blue Favrile Glass Candelabra
By Tiffany Studios
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Tiffany Studios No. 1312 Patinated Bronze & Blue Favrile Glass Candelabra Estate of John Loring (1939–2026), the renowned Design Director of Tiffany & Co An exceptional and...
Bronze
19th Century Tiffany Studios Gilt Bronze Branch Form Candelabra
By Tiffany Studios
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This matched pair of Art Nouveau gilt bronze candelabra were made by Tiffany Studios of New York. The candelabra have an naturalistic form modeled after tree branches and feature six...
Bronze
Antique Tiffany Studios Jeweled Favrile Glass Candle Lamp, Patinated Bronze Base
By Tiffany Studios
Located in Tarry Town, NY
A rare and finely executed early 20th century candle lamp produced by the renowned Tiffany Studios, United States, circa 1906. This example represents an important period in Tiffany ...
Bronze
Tiffany Studios Tall Blown Out Candlestick
By Tiffany Studios
Located in Bronx, NY
This vintage early 20th century authentic Tiffany Studios candlestick is decorated with blown out green color favrile art glass in its candle cup. The candlestick has beautiful dark ...
Bronze
After synthetic dyes changed fashion, home goods and printed matter, it was only a matter of time till glass caught up.
The 1920s design is a thrilling combination of saturated colors, ancient motifs and modern aesthetics.
