Tiffany & Co. is one of the most prominent purveyors of luxury goods in the United States, and has long been an important arbiter of style in the design of diamond engagement rings. A young Franklin Delano Roosevelt proposed to his future wife, Eleanor, with a Tiffany ring in 1904. Vanderbilts, Whitneys, Astors and members of the Russian imperial family all wore Tiffany & Co. jewelry. And Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis preferred Tiffany china for state dinners at the White House.
Although synonymous with luxury today, the firm started out rather modestly. Charles Lewis Tiffany and John B. Young founded it in Connecticut as a “stationery and fancy goods emporium” in 1837, at a time when European imports still dominated the nascent American luxury market. In 1853, Charles Tiffany — who in 1845 had launched the company’s famed catalog, the Blue Book, and with it, the firm’s signature robin’s-egg blue, which he chose for the cover — shifted the focus to fine jewelry.
In 1868, Tiffany & Co. gained international recognition when it became the first U.S. firm to win an award for excellence in silverware at the Exposition Universelle in Paris. From then on, it belonged to the pantheon of American luxury brands.
At the start of the Gilded Age, in 1870, Tiffany & Co. opened its flagship store, described as a "palace of jewels" by the New York Times, at 15 Union Square West in Manhattan. Throughout this period, its designs for silver tableware, ceremonial silver, flatware and jewelry were highly sought-after indicators of status and taste. They also won the firm numerous accolades, including the grand prize for silverware at the Paris Exposition of 1878. Among the firm’s glittering creations from this time are masterworks of Art Nouveau jewelry, such as this delicate aquamarine necklace and this lavish plique-à-jour peridot and gold necklace, both circa 1900.
When Charles Lewis Tiffany died, in 1902, his son Louis Comfort Tiffany became the firm’s design director. Under his leadership, the Tiffany silver studio was a de facto design school for apprentice silversmiths, who worked alongside head artisan Edward C. Moore. The firm produced distinctive objects inspired by Japanese art and design, North American plants and flowers, and Native American patterns and crafts, adding aesthetic diversity to Tiffany & Co.’s distinguished repertoire.
Tiffany is also closely associated with diamonds, even lending its name to one particularly rare and exceptional yellow stone. The firm bought the Tiffany diamond in its raw state from the Kimberley mines of South Africa in 1878. Cut to create a 128.54-carat gem with an unprecedented 82 facets, it is one of the most spectacular examples of a yellow diamond in the world.
In a broader sense, Tiffany & Co. helped put diamonds on the map in 1886 by introducing the American marketplace to the solitaire diamond design, which is still among the most popular engagement-ring styles. The trademark Tiffany® Setting raises the stone above the band on six prongs, allowing its facets to catch the light. A lovely recent example is this circa-2000 platinum engagement ring. Displaying a different design and aesthetic (but equally chic) is this exquisite diamond and ruby ring from the 1930s.
Find Tiffany & Co. jewelry, serveware and decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.
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
$65,000
H 42 in W 5.25 in D 5.25 in
Tiffany Studios New York "Turtleback Tile" Lantern Bronze Chandelier
By Tiffany Studios
Located in New York, NY
This four-sided hanging Moorish lantern features red turtleback glass tiles set within intricate coiled wire filigree—a technique derived from ancient Greco-Roman jewelry. Its bold pyramidal form enhances the design’s exotic character. Tiffany’s turtleback lanterns were among his earliest lighting innovations, appearing in photographs as early as the 1880s. Designed to hang from ceilings at staggered heights, these lanterns created a dynamic interplay of form and light. Their varied shapes and textures were intended to evoke the illuminated ceilings of a mosque, where centuries of accumulated oil lamps and polycandela formed a dazzling, mismatched constellation of lights. Item #: YL-22197 Artist: Tiffany Studios New York Country: United States Circa: 1900 Dimensions: 42" height, 5.25" width, 5.25" depth. Materials: Favrile Glass, Bronze Literature: For an illustration of this rare model, see Alastair Duncan, Tiffany Lamps and Metalware: An Illustrated Reference to Over 2,000 Models, New Edition, pg. 326, fig. 1308. "Da Lee Anderson, Il Collezionista," in Casa Vogue, June 1985, no. 64, pgs. 172-5. Macklowe Gallery Curator's Notes: This lantern was commissioned by Charlotte Doremus Pierson Garrett Bellairs (1872–1939) who was briefly married Horatio Garrett, one of three Garrett sons raised at Evergreen—a 48-room Gilded Age mansion built by a wealthy railroad and banking family. During their engagement, Horatio’s mother, Alice, began construction on “Evergreen Junior,” a nearby residence intended for the couple. But Horatio died of cancer in 1896 at age 23, and Charlotte never lived there. She remained at Evergreen through at least 1900, according to census records. The Garretts were early patrons of Louis Comfort Tiffany, and Evergreen remains filled with custom commissions dating back to the 1880s. Many, including this lantern, reflect Tiffany’s Moorish...
Bronze
Large Tiffany Style Chandelier
By Tiffany Studios
Located in Asheville, NC
Beautiful large tiffany style glass has been forged in a black iron chandelier. These beautiful colors of rose, peach and green tones make a scrump...
Iron
$125,000
H 24 in Dm 24 in
'Curtain Border' Chandelier, Stamped Tiffany Studios, Christie's NY Provenance
By Tiffany Studios
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Tiffany Studios A 'Curtain Border' leaded glass and bronze chandelier, circa 1910 Measures: 24 in. (61 cm.) diameter stamped Tiffany Studios Proven...
Glass
Tiffany Style Glass and Copper Pendant Chandelier, circa 1940s
Located in Wiesbaden, Hessen
An amazing hand - crafted Tiffany Style chandelier, circa 1940s. Socket: 3 x E27 or E26 (US) for standard screw bulbs.
Copper
Vintage Tiffany Style Pendant Light
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Colorful and ornate, this vintage Tiffany style chandelier features a stunning stained glass shade composed of vibrant leaded glass in floral and geometric motifs. When illuminated, ...
Stained Glass
$2,825
H 25 in Dm 18 in
Vintage Tiffany Style Caramel Slag Glass and Metal Frame Hanging Light Fixture
Located in Lisse, NL
One of a kind and all-handcrafted vintage pendant light. This semi-antique light fixture comes with as many as 8 beautiful Tiffany style, 'caramel slag' curved glass panels. Both in...
Metal, Brass, Bronze
1920 Large Unusual Leaded Glass Light Fixture
By Edward F. Caldwell & Co.
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1920's large unusual shape leaded glass light fixture with (8 interior lights)
Art Glass
Striking Tiffany Style Leaded Glass Chandelier
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Beautiful leaded glass Tiffany style chandelier in earth colors with a glowing effect. Canopy included 2 lights 18” Chain
Art Glass
$2,360Sale Price|20% Off
H 42 in W 22.5 in D 22.5 in
Duffner & Kimberly attr Arts & Crafts Leaded Stained Glass Hanging Light c1910
Located in Big Flats, NY
A fine example of American Arts & Crafts design, this antique hanging dome light is attributed to the renowned firm of Duffner & Kimberly, dating to approximately 1920. This ...
Stained Glass
Tiffany Studios Fleur-de-Lis Lamp
By Tiffany Studios
Located in New Orleans, LA
Fleur-de-Lis Lamp Tiffany Studios Circa 1900 This beautiful Tiffany Studios table lamp features the firm's iconic leaded glass shade in the rare Fleur-de-Lis pattern. The geometric ...
Bronze
Tiffany Studios Pomegranate Lamp
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pomegranate Table Lamp Tiffany Studios Circa 1900 This beautiful lamp by Tiffany Studios features an iconic leaded Favrile glass lampshade atop its patinated bronze base. Displaying...
Bronze
Tiffany Studios Counterbalance Desk Lamp
By Tiffany Studios
Located in New Orleans, LA
Counter Balance Desk Lamp Louis Comfort Tiffany Circa 1900 Designed by the iconic Louis Comfort Tiffany, this exceptional desk lamp is the pinnacle of Art Nouveau design. The origin...
Bronze
Tiffany Studios Poppy Lamp
By Tiffany Studios
Located in New Orleans, LA
Poppy Lamp Tiffany Studios Circa 1910 This exquisite table lamp by Tiffany Studios features the firm's iconic Poppy shade and its patinated bronze root bas...
Bronze
19th Century Louis XV-Style Chandelier
Located in New Orleans, LA
This refined ten-light chandelier is a grand example of 19th century French opulence. Crafted in the Louis XV style, this fixture emits a soft glow tha...
Bronze
Tiffany Studios Favrile and Bronze Candlestick
By Tiffany Studios
Located in New Orleans, LA
Favrile and Bronze Candlestick Tiffany Studios Circa 1900 Uniting golden Favrile glass and elegant bronze work, this exceptional candlestick by Tiffany Studios captures the organic ...
Art Glass
The actress and Benny Blanco tied the knot with style in Santa Barbara over the weekend.
Diamonds and sapphires still played a starring role, but less popular stones popped up too.
