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.
Early 20th Century Tiffany Favrile Glass Five-Piece Serving Set
By Louis Comfort Tiffany
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This Tiffany iridescent gold Favrile glass five-piece set includes a fruit bowl and four individual serving bowls. The matched set has cylindrical b...
Glass
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
French Gilt & Patinated Bronze Garniture with Applied Foliate/Floral Decoration
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This exceptional late 19th century three-piece French garniture includes two footed urns and a low footed centerpiece bowl. The urns and bowl are composed of patinated bronze with ormolu mounts which include neoclassical mask detail and rest on square marble plinths with ormolu bases. The pieces have distinctive elongated handles at the sides which terminate in stylized pendant decoration. As seen in the accompanying photographs, the exterior of the urns and bowl feature applied bronze decoration in the form of ornate foliate swags with flowers. Please be sure to zoom in on the photos to better appreciate the detail of the cast decoration, it is impressive. The urns stand 15.75" tall as measured to the top of the rims. The handles are 5" from edge to edge as measured from their outside points. The feet are 4.25" square. The centerpiece bowl stands...
Marble, Bronze
John R Wendt for Ball Black & Co Seven-Piece Medallion Sterling Tea & Coffee Set
By John Wendt, Ball Black & Co.
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This neoclassical sterling silver tea and coffee set was designed by renowned 19th century silversmith, John R. Wendt (1826-1907). Recognized as "one of the best designers and chasers in the art", Wendt formed a highly successful partnership with Boston silversmith Augustus Rogers before moving to New York in 1860 to work as principal silversmith to important jewelry and silver retailer Ball, Black & Co. Wendt is known for his distinctive designs and examples of his work are held in the permanent collections of museums including the Smithsonian American Art Museum and Boston's Museum of Fine Art. This Wendt sterling tea and coffee set...
Sterling Silver
Antique Loring Andrews Repoussé Sterling Silver Castle Pattern Table Box
By Loring Andrews & Co
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This antique Castle pattern sterling silver table box was made by The Loring Andrews Company of Cincinnati, Ohio. The hinged box is quite ornate and bears highly detailed all-over r...
Sterling Silver
Johan Rohde for Georg Jensen Sterling Silver Acorn Pattern Fish Serving Set
By Georg Jensen, Johan Rohde
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This pre-1945 fish serving set was designed by Johan Rohde for Georg Jensen of Denmark. The sterling silver pieces have been made in Rohde's popular Acorn pattern which was introduce...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany Studios New York Six Piece Brass Zodiac Desk Set, Circa 1900
By Tiffany Studios
Located in San Antonio, TX
Antique six piece Zodiac Desk Set by Tiffany Studio of New York is made of brass and is has a warm gold coloring with age-appropriate patina depicting ...
Brass
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Nine-Piece Desk Set, Circa 1910
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts or Art Nouveau period "Zodiac" bronze desk set. The nine-piece set includes: large inkwell, pen brush, two letter racks, pair of bookends, stamp box, notepad...
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Six-Piece Desk Set, Circa 1910
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding Art & Crafts or Art Deco period "Zodiac" patinated bronze desk set. The six-piece set includes: picture frame, stamp box, inkwell, pen tray, match stand, and set of fo...
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York “American Indian” Bronze Desk Set, circa 1905
By Tiffany Studios
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Exceptional and rare multi-piece bronze desk set by Tiffany Studios, New York, executed in the sought-after “American Indian” pattern, circa 1905–1915. This sculptural Arts & Cra...
Bronze
Tiffany Studios Pine Needle Bronze and Slag Seven-Piece Desk Set
By Tiffany Studios
Located in Northport, MI
An exceptional seven-piece desk set by Tiffany Studios New York, crafted circa early 20th century in the iconic Pine Needle Pattern. This finely detailed ensemble features warm bronz...
Bronze
Tiffany Studios Bronze Gold Dore Desk Set
By Tiffany Studios
Located in Greer, SC
9-Piece Tiffany Studios Bronze Desk Set which includes: Letter Holder, Notepad Holder, Letter Opener, Stamp Box, Pen Tray, Blotter, Ink Well, Vase Base, Nut Bowl with Scalloped Edges
Bronze
