Archive for the ‘Tiffany Lighting’ Category
When decorating our home I could not figure out what to do with an awkward triangular space underneath the stairs in the living room. I didn’t want to turn it into just another space for storage; I wanted a more creative solution. After browsing through design inspiration boards online, I settled on creating a reading nook.
I found a beautiful chaise lounge that fit perfectly in the space. Since you’re meant to recline on the chaise I didn’t have to worry about head space. On the outside edge of the chaise lounge I placed one of two Tiffany floor lamps that I own. I finished the reading nook off with a few colorful pillows and a throw blanket.
Contrary to popular belief, not every authentic Tiffany floor lamp bears the initials of Louis Comfort Tiffany on its lampshade. In fact, the LCT initials are considered quite rare. Most of the Tiffany lamps produced at the Tiffany studios were stamped with “Tiffany Studios New York.”
After the death of Louis Comfort Tiffany some glass workers tried to capitalize on the founder’s fame by forging his initials. An expert can correctly identify which initials are real and which ones are forgeries. If you do have a forgery this does not mean the quality of the lamp is damaged; it just won’t fetch as high a price at auction as it might have with authentic initials.
In 1894 Louis Comfort Tiffany patented favrile glass. Favrile glass is opalescent and made by machines. At the time Louis Comfort Tiffany developed the unique technique most glass lamps were hand blown. Favrile is also unique in that it has luminous pearl-like quality to it when the glass is injected with colored metallic oxide.
Not all Tiffany desk lamps are made using favrile glass. If you happen to own one, particularly a dragonfly lamp shade, then consider yourself incredibly lucky. The favrile glass lamps are exquisite, rare, and valuable; an irreplaceable commodity.
In 1894 Louis Comfort Tiffany patented favrile glass. Favrile glass is opalescent and made by machines. At the time Louis Comfort Tiffany developed the unique technique most glass lamps were hand blown. Favrile is also unique in that it has luminous pearl-like quality to it when the glass is injected with colored metallic oxide.
Not all Tiffany desk lamps are made using favrile glass. If you happen to own one, particularly a dragonfly lamp shade, then consider yourself incredibly lucky. The favrile glass lamps are exquisite, rare, and valuable; an irreplaceable commodity.
In 1893, Louis Comfort Tiffany designed the Tiffany Chapel as a showpiece for the Manufacturers and Liberal Arts Building at the World Exhibition. The magnificent chapel was described by Tiffany as “a chapel in which to worship art.” The architecture and décor was a cross between Byzantine and Art Nouveau. Over one million people viewed the chapel, which boosted Tiffany’s international reputation and garnered him an astounding 54 awards.
After the Exhibition, the Tiffany Chapel was bought for $50,000 with the intention of being installed in the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in Manhattan. However, when a new architect took the project over the style of the chapel did not sync up, so it was sold off and eventually re-acquired by Louis. It’s now on display in Florida at the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art. With a Tiffany accent lamp, shoppers can incorporate some of the chapel’s grandeur into their own homes or offices.
Noted artist, Louis Comfort Tiffany, made his home in Laurel Hollow, Long Island, New York. The manor, appropriately named Laurelton Hall, contained 65 rooms on 600 acres of land. Tiffany designed the home in the Art Nouveau style with a combination of Islamic motifs connected to nature. Notable works by Tiffany were on display in the home, which was also the location of the Tiffany Art Foundation at which artists trained.
The Tiffany Chapel, constructed for the 1893 Columbian Exposition, was also kept on the property in a separate gallery. Unfortunately, when Louis Comfort Tiffany died, Laurelton Hall fell into disrepair and was sold in 1949. It burned down in 1957. Some of the magnificent Tiffany windows and architectural pieces were salvaged and are now housed in the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art.
Of all the things to see and do in New England, one of my favorite activities is visiting the Mark twain House and Museum. Mark Twain and his wife lived in the home they had built from 1874 to 1891. After the death of their daughter, as well as some financial troubles, the Twain family sold the home and moved into a new home in Redding, CT where Twain died in 1910.
Since the house was sold it went from a private residence to a school to coal storage facility to a subdivision. Finally, a group of Hartford residents bought the property and had it restored. Now it is a National Historic Landmark restored to the glory of the period when the Twains called it home. It includes incredible examples of art and architecture, including Tiffany hanging lamps – after all, Louis Comfort Tiffany himself was commissioned by Twain to complete the interior decorating in 1881.
Louis Comfort Tiffany popularized stained glass lamps with his beautiful lamps made between the early 1850s and the mid 1930s at his Tiffany Studio in New York. Replicas and Tiffany-inspired lamps made after the 1930s may be beautiful, but they are not authentic. How can you spot an authentic Tiffany lamp?
First, be aware that Tiffany made six types of lamps: floor, desk, hanging shade, wall sconce, table, and chandelier. If the lamp you’re inspecting isn’t one of the aforementioned then it is not an authentic Tiffany lamp. Second, a Tiffany floor lamp would have been crafted by hand, meaning there would have been minor imperfections and variations. If the lamp you’re inspecting is perfectly smooth with no flaws, then it is not authentic. Finally, look for “Tiffany Studios New York” or L.C.T. CO. marks that can be found on the bottom rim of authentic shades.
My grandmother recently moved to an assisted living facility. It was difficult for her to leave the house she had raised her children in and lived in with my grandfather until his death a few years ago; however, given her deteriorating health, staying in a big house by herself was not a safe option. Her treasures that she’s accumulated over the years will not fit in her new living space, so she decided to divvy them up among her grandchildren as housewarming presents.
My sister, an enthusiastic entertainer, received grandma’s good china. My brother was given my grandfather’s antique model train collection. I think I lucked out because grandma gifted me two matching Tiffany accent lamps that will look lovely in my formal sitting room. I’ll have to take a picture of the lamps on display to show my grandma next time I visit. I know it will make her happy to see that her treasures are being well looked after.
In 1918, the esteemed designer Louis Comfort Tiffany founded the Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation, commonly referred to as simply the Tiffany Foundation. The foundation was established to operate Louis’ estate, Laurelton Hall, located in Cold Spring Harbor, Long Island. Artists and craftspeople were invited to use the estate as a summer retreat.
After WWII Laurelton Hall was closed and the foundation changed its purpose to awarding grants to artists. Some notable Tiffany grant recipients include Karen LaMont, who has a permanent collection in the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and Paul Meltsner, who was famous for his portraits and murals. Marc Trujillo, a Guggenheim fellow, has also been a Tiffany grant recipient.