History of Stained Glass Lamps
Lewis Comfort Tiffany (1848-1933)
Biography of Lewis Comfort Tiffany
(II)
Tiffany's work reflects the efforts to resolve the conflicting ideals of
the Arts and Craft movement. Yet most companies could not produce affordable
art for the home while retaining high standards and individual expression.
Tiffany, however, successfully created an art industry. He triumphed where
others had failed because his personal fortune allowed him to sacrifice
company profits in the interests of artistic achievement. In addition, he
provided an extraordinary range of products, so that consumers at almost
every economic level had access to his religion of beauty.
Original Tiffany stained glass lamps are commonly grouped into the following categories:
FAVRILE GROUP
Favrile, meaning handcrafted, is the term that defines the first and simplest
shades made by Louis Comfort Tiffany. An early patent obtained by Tiffany under
the name Favrile encompassed several types of glass used in the manufacture of
stained-glass windows as well as leaded and blown shades. However, the term now
is associated with blown forms such as shades and other types of hollow ware.
Favrile pieces are generally inscribed L.C.T. or Favrile, while shades made
from leaded glass are labeled with impressed metal signature tags.
GEOMETRIC GROUP
The term geometric is applied to the group of leaded-glass shades with the
simplest designs, and includes standard geometric shapes such as squares,
triangles, rectangles, ovals, ellipses, and rhomboids used on panel, cone,
and globe-shaped shades. Unlike blown shades, the geometric and all ensuing
groups were fabricated from pieces of poured glass cut in segments, edged
with copper foil and leaded or soldered together to form a complete unit. A
patinated bronze finish was then applied to the lead or solder lines. The
geometric group is divided into two basic types: shades made from a large
number of small glass pieces and those made from a limited number of large
glass pieces, such as turtleback tiles and Favrile Fabrique panels.
TRANSITION TO FLOWERS GROUP
The transition to flowers group serves as a bridge between the geometric and
floral shades. It includes globe-shaped shades of basic geometric design with
added botanical motifs. The group is divided into two categories: geometric
shades with borders or belts of flowers and vines, and shades with scattered
floral or leaf patterns on geometric backgrounds.
FLOWERED CONE GROUP
Botanical patterns, which were introduced in moderation on shades in the
transition group, are employed en masse in the cone group. As described by
Tiffany Studios in a 1906 catalogue, cone shades are straight-sided with
circular rims. They are easier to manufacture than leaded shades with curved
or rounded sides, hence the greater number of shades in this category. While
cone-shaped shades are found in the geometric group, they are classified
there by design rather than form. Another natural motif applied to cone-shaped
shades is the dragonfly. This insect design is developed further in the flowered
globe and irregular lower border groups.
FLOWERED GLOBE GROUP
The flowered globe group is more complex in construction than the preceding
group of cone-shaped shades. In terms of decorative progression, their shape
permits a more natural rendering of the botanical and insect motifs. Tiffany
Studios referred to this type of "domed" in its 1906 catalogue. Globes range
in size from twelve inches to twenty-eight inches in diameter.
IRREGULAR LOWER BORDER GROUP
The shades in this group take on a more naturalistic form, with flowing,
serpentine rims. The uninterrupted metal edge and stylized band of the preceding
groups have been replaced with a curvilinear lower border. Except for the panel
shades used with the grape trellis motif, all the shades in this group are globular
in shape. The natural termination of leaves, fruits, insect bodies, and flowers
give shades in the irregular lower border group an Art Nouveau character often
associated with Tiffany Studios.
IRREGULAR UPPER AND LOWER BORDERS GROUP
At the final phase of development are shades with both irregular upper and lower
borders. In this group the artificial straight edge of the aperture is replaced by
an openwork crown that simulates tree branches or shrubbery. Finials have been
eliminated, and light and heat are diffused through the crown. The combination
of the irregular upper and lower border is, according to Egon Neustadt, "the
consummate Tiffany Studios Shade."
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