Antique Tiffany Lamp Value - The Colors Are Very Important

Over the years the value of authentic Tiffany lamps has generally gone up. It can flatten out or slow, due to economic reasons usually, such as the recent recession. Barring that kind of economic situation, where all kinds of  fine art and antiques lose value or stop appreciating in value, the prices of the better authentic, antique Tiffany lamps lamps always seem to appreciate better than the "lower end" and more common lamps however. It's interesting how one important factor - the colors in the shade - which is otherwise identical in pattern and size to another shade, can make it two or three times more valuable.

Here is a good example of how the value of authentic Tiffany lamps are affected by their shade glass color.

Below is a poppy lamp which recently sold at Sotheby's Auction House in New York for over $106,000.

It has a very plain base, but to most collectors, the colors in the shade are the best. They are rich and vibrant reds and magenta and orange in color, with deep colors even in the green leaves and background glass. 

The poppy lamp below, however, with a similarly unimpressive base, was sold at Skinner Auctions in 2012, and it sold for only about $51,000, which included the "buyer's premium" as did the top example. It had a few condition issues, but look at the differences in coloring in the shade. There is very little red, a green and yellow/gold background, and it is not remotely close to being as vibrant and rich in color as the above example.

All other things being equal as to condition, type of glass used, rarity, shade size, base type, and pattern, the colors in an authentic Tiffany lamp shade are the most important factor in the value at public or private sale. Certainly if one adds a fancy and rare base onto a rather bland shade it can increase the value greatly. But if you compare "apples to apples," the best colors in the shade will win out every time, as far as being the most desirable, expensive and valuable lamp.

More to come...

Dennis

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