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Culture & Lifestyle • Decorative Arts

Tiffany lamp

A Tiffany lamp is a decorative lamp with a stained-glass shade associated with Louis Comfort Tiffany and the Tiffany Studios in New York City.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

A Tiffany lamp is a decorative lamp with a stained-glass shade associated with Louis Comfort Tiffany and the Tiffany Studios in New York City. The style is closely linked to Art Nouveau and is widely used as a generic term for similar leaded-glass lamps, including reproductions.

History

Tiffany lamps emerged in the late 19th century from Tiffany Studios’ work in decorative glass. They were fashionable in the 1890s and early 1900s before falling out of style by the 1930s.

Design and construction

The lamps are known for patterned glass shades made from many pieces joined with copper foil and solder. The style often features floral, insect, or geometric motifs associated with Art Nouveau.

Authorship and studio practice

Although Louis Comfort Tiffany is the best-known name attached to the lamps, collaborators at Tiffany Studios were central to design and production. Modern scholarship has highlighted the role of Clara Driscoll and other studio workers.

Collecting and value

Original Tiffany lamps are considered important decorative-art works and are sought by collectors. Surviving examples can command prices ranging from thousands to millions of dollars.

Key facts

  • Tiffany lamps were originally designed and produced by Louis Comfort Tiffany and collaborators at Tiffany Studios.
  • Their shades were assembled using the copper-foil technique rather than traditional lead came.
  • The lamps became popular decorative-art objects in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
  • Tiffany Studios produced many lamp designs from 1893 until the company closed in the 1920s.
  • Original examples are highly collectible and can sell for very high prices at auction.
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Canadian context

Tiffany lamps are collected and sold internationally, including in Canada, and are commonly referenced in Canadian decorative-arts and antique contexts.

Frequently asked questions

What is a Tiffany lamp?
A Tiffany lamp is a decorative lamp with a stained-glass shade associated with Tiffany Studios and Louis Comfort Tiffany.
How are Tiffany lamps made?
Their glass shades are assembled from many pieces of coloured glass, typically using the copper-foil method.
Who designed the first Tiffany lamp?
Louis Comfort Tiffany is traditionally credited, but later research shows Clara Driscoll and other studio collaborators played major roles.
What art movement are Tiffany lamps part of?
They are commonly associated with Art Nouveau.
Are 'Tiffany lamps' always made by Tiffany Studios?
No. The term is often used generically for similar stained-glass lamps, including reproductions and unrelated makers.
Are original Tiffany lamps valuable?
Yes. Original examples are collectible and can sell for large sums, sometimes into the millions.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiffany_lamp
    Supports: Overview, construction method, Art Nouveau association, production period, generic use of the term, collector value
  2. Lillian Nassau LLC — https://www.lilliannassau.com/index.php/features/the-first-tiffany-lamps
    Supports: Early development of the first Tiffany lamps and role of studio workers
  3. Smithsonian Magazine — https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/women-real-geniuses-behind-iconic-tiffany-lamps-180983699/
    Supports: Role of women workers and Clara Driscoll in Tiffany lamp creation
  4. Christie's — https://www.christies.com/en/stories/tiffany-lamps-10-things-you-need-to-know-e173d5081a064bbab7b8dd844d40ae62
    Supports: Louis Comfort Tiffany, Queens studio, and production context