The Lamps of Tiffany Studios

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

The American pieces of furnishing are little known in Europe. To this statement a little fast, there is one notable exception: the Tiffany lamps, whose modest specimens are often seen in the auction rooms with their bronze foot and their bell shaped hat.

On June 14 in New York, eight of them will go under the hammer at Sotheby's. These eight are important pieces.

The Magnolia lamp at number 115 is monumental: 2 metres tall, with a shade diameter of 70 cm. Made around 1915, it is today at 700 K$. The other lamps that I speak below are table lamps.

With its fringe edged hat constituted with 2000 assembled glass pieces and its tree shaped foot with prominent roots, the Wisteria lamp, designed in 1901, was the luxury model of its time. Lot 70 is estimated 500 K$. This lamp is 68 cm high and 47 cm shade diameter, which gives a good idea of its covering shape typical of best Tiffanys.

On a less complex assembly but of similar shape and same size, here is an Apple Blossom lamp, lot 21, estimated 250 K$.

A smaller Wisteria, lot 114, expects 180 K$.

The four others have such a mushroom shape that looks more familiar with European habits. At lot 96, a very colourful Dragonfly lamp is estimated 200 K$. Another Dragonfly, slightly larger but perhaps less aesthetic, at number 38, may stay at 120 K$. The Peony with conical hat of Lot 97 is at 220 K$. Under its hemispheric hat the Begonia lamp at lot 37 is estimated 200 K$.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

It is the passion of buyers, and not the forecasts of experts, that made the prices of these lamps. It is a clear sign of momentum for this market sector. I could spend hours searching a history of sales of Tiffany lamps, I would not have anticipated the results below. Fortunately for me that I did not do it!

Of the two lamps that I had identified as similar, the less complex, the Apple Blossom at number 21, foiled all expectations by selling 930 K$ costs included on an estimate of 250 K$.

The other, the Wisteria number 70, whose implementation had been an achievement, was sold 600 K$, a price to be considered as reasonable.

The lamps 114, 96 and 38 have all exceeded their estimates, respectively at 220, 270 and 230 K$ fees included.

Probably more cumbersome than exceptional, the lamp 115 remained unsold. It is interesting to note that the last two of my article, where I considered that the shapes were classic, did not find anybody to collect them at 220 and 200 K $.