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.
Brass Carved Magnifying Glass with Handle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Brass magnifying glass with handle - a wonderfully functional, very large and heavy piece. The brass surround is quite nice and the handle could be w...
Brass
Smart Antique Magnifying Glass by P H Vogel & Co. c.1920
By P.H. Vogel & Co.
Located in Bath, GB
A smart and elegant magnifying glass with polished nickel and brass fittings and an attractive dark cognac coloured and textured leather covered handle to emulate crocodile skin. Th...
Brass
Small Antique English Brass Magnifying Glass c.1910
Located in Bath, GB
A lovely little magnifying glass made from solid brass with a handle; the perfect size to pop in the pocket or bag. Dating to c.1910, Edwardian in era, the magnifier works well and ...
Brass
$698Sale Price|30% Off
H 5.6 in W 1.2 in D 1.6 in
EDWARDIAN 1900 England Antique Desk Magnifier Loupe In Polished Brass & Wood
Located in Miami, FL
A British desk magnifier loupe from the Edwardian Period. This is a beautiful continental magnifier desk-loupe created in England during the Edwardian period, back in the 1900's. Th...
Brass, Bronze
$995
H 0.79 in W 8.47 in D 3.94 in
Art Deco Magnifying Glass in Mother of Pearl and Silver Plate 1930s
Located in Meer, VAN
Art Deco Magnifying Glass in Mother of Pearl and Silver Plate 1930s Sometimes, the only quality an item really needs is beauty - and this art deco magnifying glass has it all. Age, ...
Silver Plate
$1,816Sale Price|20% Off
H 17.5 in W 9.5 in D 1.5 in
Rare Antique English Mammoth Map or Library Magnifying Glass, circa 1930
Located in Bath, GB
Wow, you need to hands to lift this mammoth magnifying glass, a great look for the library and a real talking point. The handle is made from cast brass and the frame for the glass...
Metal
$1,326Sale Price|30% Off
H 15 in W 4 in D 1.02 in
Edwardian 1905 Handle Desk Magnifier Glass in Sterling Silver and Bamboo Wood
Located in Miami, FL
Desk magnifier glass from the Edwardian Period. Very beautiful and decorative piece, created during the Edwardian period, back in the 1905. This m...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Bronze Magnifying Glass
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This early bronze hand crafted magnifying glass in fine as found condition.Works great !
Bronze
$1,026
H 13 in W 3.94 in D 2.17 in
Antique Scholar's Magnifying Glass, French, Sewing, Library Magnifier, Edwardian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique scholar's magnifying glass. A French, silver plated needlework or reading magnifier, dating to the Edwardian period, circa 1910. Striking handle and large diamete...
Silver Plate
Asprey Art Deco Sterling Silver & Shagreen Magnifying Glass
By Asprey International Limited
Located in Bath, GB
A magnificent magnifying glass by the creme de la creme of English retailer's, Asprey of Bond Street, London. The silver is fully hallmarked for London 1928 together with the maker's mark W.M. The silver is also signed "Asprey London". Excellent antique condition with minor wear commensurate with age measuring 7 3/4" x 3 5/8" x 5/8". A slight wobble to the magnifier due to the traditional pinned construction rather than glued, mentioned purely for accuracy. The handle is made from polished Shagreen, a leather made from sharkskin or the skin of a Stingray. This type of Shagreen was first made popular by Jean-Claude Galluchat (d1774) a master leather worker in the Court of Louis XV in France. It became a fashion amongst the French aristocracy and later throughout Europe. Shagreen is derived from the French word “Chagrin”. Asprey is a British retailer of jewellery, leather, silver and other luxury goods. Founded in 1781, the House has historically been recognized as one of the world’s pre-eminent luxury goods brands and has a substantial client base of members of royalty, heads of state and important actors on the world stage. For over two centuries, Asprey has been regarded as a top British luxury lifestyle brand and the Bruton Street Flagship Store is considered a must see London destination. Asprey’s broad product assortment includes jewellery, leather goods, accessories, silver, watches, clocks, first edition...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany Studios New York Graduate Pattern Bronze Doré Magnifying Glass
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period gilt bronze Graduate pattern magnifying glass By Tiffany Studios (signed on the side) New York, USA, Early 20th Cent...
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Match Box Holder
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period bronze match box holder featuring symbols of the Zodiac By Tiffany Studios (signed on the side) New York, USA, Early 20th Ce...
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Rocker Blotter
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique bronze rocker ink blotter featuring Zodiac designs By Tiffany Studios New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 5.5"W x 2.75"D x 2"H Good vintage condition, ...
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Pattern Bronze Match Box Holder
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period bronze match box holder featuring symbols of the Zodiac By Tiffany Studios (signed on the side) New York, USA, Early 20th Centur...
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Pattern Bronze Rocker Blotter
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period bronze "Zodiac" pattern rocker ink blotter By Tiffany Studios (signed on the side) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 5.63"W x...
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Pattern Bronze Doré Rocker Blotter
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period gilt bronze "Zodiac" pattern rocker ink blotter By Tiffany Studios (signed on the side) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 5.7...
Bronze
