La tiffany lamp It is the most famous leaded glass lamp. It was conceived not only to illuminate the rooms but also to be a beautiful decorative item for interiors. The way the glass filters the light adds character and a unique style to each room.
Considered part of the Art Nouveau movement, Tiffany lamps feature beautiful geometric or nature-inspired designs. Originals are luxury items, unattainable for most of us. However, there are both reproductions and contemporary versions much more affordable for decorate our homes. Do you want to know how to get the most out of them?
A Little History
They say that the Tiffany lamp was born from a lucky meeting between Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848-1933) and Thomas Edison (1847-1931). The first of them thought that he could produce his exquisite stained glass in miniature to serve as lampshades that would illuminate the stained glass, thanks to the light that the light bulb that the second had invented would produce. And that's how the Tiffany lamp was born.
The first Tiffany lamp was created around 1895. Each lamp was handcrafted by skilled craftsmen who had to carefully and painstakingly select the best sections of glass cut from thousands. These small pieces of glass were used to create geometric or natural motifs among which flowers, dragonflies, butterflies and peacock feathers stood out.
Tiffany lamps had their golden age between 1885-1920. They gained great popularity thanks to the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, in which they caught the eye of Wilhelm Bode and Julius Lessing, directors of the state museums in Berlin, and responsible for their introduction into the first German and European markets. , later.
After the death of Louis Comfort Tiffany in 1933, the popularity of his lamps declined. The tastes of the time changed and their lamps were too flashy for this. But it all comes back and in the 60s they became popular again, attracting the attention of museums and collectors.
Characteristics of Tiffany lamps
If Tiffany lamps are characterized by something, they are by their lampshade composed of stained glass. In its origins these were cut, polished by hand and welded to lead to compose the stained glass. And although today the techniques with which they are manufactured have evolved, the original and colorful compositions of the screen continue to be its most identifying feature.
The base is also an important part of the design of these lamps. Most of them were made with bronze casting at the same Tiffany factory in Queens. Today, most designs remain faithful to that aesthetic, although there are exceptions.
Another feature of Tuffany lamps is light. This type of lamps they do not provide too much light to the room, but they can be used to create different environments within a room. Let us remember that they were created with the intention of being also a decorative object.
One number and one signature at the bottom identify the original lamps, manufactured at Tiffany Studios in New York. These reach six-figure amounts when sold at antique auctions in the US.
Decorate with Tiffany lamps
We often associate Tiffany style lamps with opulent interiors far removed from the current style with which most of us decorate our homes. However, these can be a perfect fit for modern spaces contributing to these character and providing them with a unique environment.
All the small table lamps they become a very successful proposal to print color in sober bedrooms and with a neutral color palette. In the same way, they can be used in the living room, located next to the sofa on a side table that does not steal their prominence.
This type of lamp also fits perfectly in classic style offices. Placed on a sturdy wooden table and next to wooden or metal elements that serve to organize all the work tools, they will provide a warm, familiar and welcoming atmosphere.
La pendant Tiffany lamps, for their part, they are a great option to decorate kitchens and dining rooms. Placed on the table, they provide an intimate and cozy light, enough to set a family lunch or dinner. Choose a large lamp with rounded shapes to illuminate a round or oval table and combine several lamps with straighter lines on a rectangular table.
Tiffany lamps are very appropriate to decorate classic environments in which dark wood furniture and sofas or armchairs with floral upholstery become relevant. But they are also ideal for printing color to sober rooms or drawing attention to a specific corner in them. Today, in addition, the design of Tiffany lamps has diversified. It is possible to find lamps with very different styles and colors and therefore, it is much easier to integrate them into a specific room, whatever its style.