Authentic Tiffany Lamps As An Alternative Investment?

Since 1970 I have collected antiques and fine art. I became interested in antiques and fine art during college and with mentoring from 3-4 very experienced collectors I got a hands on education about everything from 17th -19th century furniture, to art glass, antiquities, American and European decorative accessories and other lovely treasures. I was most interested in the 18th-19th century items at first; then my focus shifted a bit. I became fascinated with American art glass, and in particular, Tiffany Studios art glass and Tiffany Studios lamps. Tiffany Studios items had started to become collectible and valuable, whereas in the years before about 1962, collectors of lovely antiques and art bought Tiffany Studios lamps and glass for their homes from the few dealers who sold them, but their value as a "collectible" had not reached very high levels with rare exceptions.

Over time, when people have asked me if buying a certain antique or in this case, a Tiffany Studios lamp would be a "good investment," I have always been cautious in my reply. My usual response to anyone buying any kind of antique or fine art piece is to "buy what you like and what is within your budget." It has been well established over the past hundred or more years that certain categories or specific artists or types of antiques and fine art have "held their own" and been somewhat the "blue chips" of the antiques and art market. As far as retaining and gaining in value, the art and antique market, and in this case, the market for authentic Tiffany Studios lamps, has always been somewhat subject to trends in decorating, and it certainly is affected by economic booms and downturns as are other antiques and collectibles.

The recent severe recession had a devastating effect on many auction house and private sales results. Many dealers in antiques and fine art had to either close up shop or sell things at liquidation prices to stay afloat. The number of people investing their money into what most people would consider luxury items, diminished substantially. Millionaire collectors quit buying art and antiques. From my personal knowledge, collectors of Tiffany Studios lamps, because they were facing either tough times, having made their fortunes for example in real estate, or simply because times were so uncertain, stopped buying Tiffany Studios lamps. The wisest collectors within this usually "financially secure" collectors group were either not buying at all or they were buying only if they could get something at a "bargain basement" price.

During the recent recessionary time period, auctions at the major houses in New York which normally would see from 100-200 or more people seated for an important sale, were seeing a large number of empty seats. There were great bargains to be found, and likewise, many items simply went unsold. The prices for the vast majority of things (the exceptions were the very rarest and fine examples of art or other antiques), were as depressed as the auction house experts and the antique and fine art gallery owners. The prices for authentic Tiffany lamps  "tanked," with everything else, and with rare exceptions was not immune at all to the economic free fall.

Getting back to the question, "Are authentic Tiffany lamps a good investment?," my advice to Tiffany Studios lamp collectors, or to people who might have inherited a Tiffany Studios lamp is this: There are no guarantees that any kind of personal property, new or antique, will be a good investment over time - whether it is a five year or twenty five year time frame. Just as the fashion industry, auto industry and housing market have all changed over time as to what is "in" and "popular" and what is "out" and less in vogue, the same thing can and does happen with antiques and fine art. And as it does, prices naturally rise and fall. If you love authentic Tiffany lamps and have the money to buy one, I suggest to everyone that they buy the best quality lamp they can afford; a lamp with the most desirable colors and the most popular pattern over time (such as the poppy, dogwood, peony, daffodil, apple blossom, tulip, or dragonfly patterns). Buy a lamp that, in your knowledgeable opinion, or in the opinion of someone who is a Tiffany lamp expert, has very nice glass properties, great colors and is in excellent condition. If it has a base, make sure it also has an "appropriate" and high quality base. The best chance a collector has for their authentic Tiffany lamp to hold its value and to appreciate in value over any time frame, is to buy the style and patterns which have, over the past 40-50 years, consistently been popular, or to buy one of the very rare styles of Tiffany lamps, which historically have brought the best prices at public and private sales.

Below are two examples of very high quality lamps which are expensive lamps to buy now, and which will be much more likely to hold their value and be a "good investment" over the years to come. Again, nothing is guaranteed, but even in slow economic times, an item that was once $1000.00 in value is still going to be worth more than a similar item that was once worth only $250.00. Above all, buy what you like. Do not buy with the intention of making a killing in five years by re-selling your lamp for a huge profit, unless you are lucky enough to find a $100,000 lamp at an estate sale or small town auction for $5000. That happens very rarely these days.

Above, is a good example of a Tiffany Studios lamp which is both rare in pattern, and which also has lovely colors and a desirable base. Definitely "investment quality."

One could not go wrong if they had the money to invest in a nice "Wisteria" pattern Tiffany Studios lamp like the one pictured above. As long as you do not overpay, you should be fine over time. They were one of the most expensive lamps made in the early 20th century by Tiffany Studios, and they remain one of the most sought after and valuable lamps which sell at auctions and privately today. 

Whatever you decide to do, always be sure to either know yourself how to determine absolute authenticity of a Tiffany Studios lamp and its fair value, or hire someone to help you in determining those things. There are extremely good forgeries around these days, using old glass, old parts and old stamps for the signatures.

If you are lucky enough to have inherited a nice Tiffany Studios lamp, it is your decision whether to hold onto it or sell it and use that money for something that you perhaps like better or can better use in your lifestyle. There is always the chance of accidental damage to any lamp. Once this happens, it can either ruin the value of a lamp entirely, or it can cost many thousands of dollars to restore the lamp properly. I work with many people who have inherited or purchased lamps, and who decide to sell them because they fear their children or grandchildren will knock them over or otherwise damage them beyond repair.  Some unfortunate Tiffany lamp owners have also knocked their lamp over themselves, which is possibly the most distressing scenario of all!

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Authentic Tiffany Lamp Styles and Shapes

 

Examples of Shapes and Pattern Styles Tiffany Studios Used

 

Tiffany Studios had many various shade shapes they used commonly. This article will show you examples of the more common shape categories he used. Keep in mind there were some shades that were variations on these shapes, but these are the major categories and examples of shades made and which were most commonly sold.

Geometric Glass Leaded Shades

Authentic Tiffany Studios lamp shades most commonly seen will measure from 15 to 24 inches in diameter. There were larger and smaller sizes made - for ceiling dome shades, the lotus/pagoda table lamp shade and a few small table lamps, but these are most common. The can be hanging or table or floor lamp shades. 

Tiffany's geometric shades are the group of leaded glass shades with the simplest designs, and this would include standard shapes such as squares, triangles, rectangles and ovals, used on the cone, panel glass, and globe-shaped shades. Unlike his blown (also often called "damascene") shades, Tiffany's geometric shades were made from pieces of poured glass which were cut in segments and edged with copper foil, then soldered together. A patina bronze finish or "rinse" was applied to the lead or solder lines to blend in well. Tiffany's geometric group can be split into two types: shades made from a limited number of large glass pieces, such as the famous and much sought after "turtleback tiles," and shades made from a large number of small glass pieces.

                               
                       Turtle Back Tile and textured glass hanging shade

                                 
                                       "Curtain Border" shade on a floor lamp

                                 Green geometric shade with "Greek Key" motif

Floral Design Leaded Shades

The floral group is a combination or blend of both geometric and floral shades. It includes globe-shaped shades of basic geometric design with added floral, vine, and leaf motifs. The floral group is divided into two categories which are the shades with scattered floral or leaf patterns all over on geometric backgrounds, and the geometric shades with borders, called "belts" of flowers and vines. The latter shades are called "belted" floral shades.

                                  "Clematis" floral cone shaped hanging shade

                                                
                                             "Red Poppy" Floral Table Lamp

              
                                                          "Daffodil" Floral Table lamp
                                                     

Dragonfly-Cone Shaped Shades


                                 Gold "Dragonfly" Pattern "Cone" Shaped Shade

Irregular Lower Border Shades

These shades have a much more natural form, with their flowing, "serpentine" meandering rims. In this group of shades, you now can see a curved, irregular shaped lower border. Almost all of the shades used in the irregular border shade group are of the globe shape.

                                     Blue "Drophead Dragonfly" Lamp Shade

  Irregular Upper and Lower Border Shades

These were the most sophisticated and complex shaped shades done by Tiffany's craftsmen. The shades have both irregular upper and lower borders. In this group the typical straight edge of the top of the shade opening (aperture) is replaced by an openwork "crown" which is made to look like tree branches. The top "finials" have been also been eliminated, and light and heat are vented out through the top crown. A good example of one of the finest of these shades is the Tiffany "Wisteria" pattern lamp shade. It is one of the most sought after and valuable of all the designs Tiffany ever produced, and as with most of his floral shades, it comes in various color combinations, from beautifully and intricately cut and positioned pale pastels, to rich, deep colored hues.                            

 
        The lovely and much sought after "Wisteria"Shaded Table Lamp 

 

While there are more variations on these patterns, including some patterns where only a few were known to have been made, the above common shapes and design patterns are the most commonly found in authentic antique Tiffany Studios lamps.



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What Determines The Value of an Authentic Tiffany Lamp?

There are many things that determine the value of an authentic Tiffany Studios lamp. It doesn't matter if it is a floor, table, desk or hanging shade. The same basic things factor into how appealing the lamp will be to collectors and therefore, how much they are willing to pay for a given lamp.

Please note that this information relates to the "fair market" value of a Tiffany Studios lamp when sold at public auction or privately. The price or values one sees in a retail Tiffany or antique gallery or at an antique show, are often if not always higher than what one sees on the same (as close as possible) lamp at an auction or privately. Likewise, appraisals done for 'insurance purposes' are generally inflated as to value on anything antique or unusual, including Tiffany Studios lamps. As for 'sentimental value": No collector or institution will pay more for a person's lamp because it holds special meaning to the owner.

The same can be said of many things people own that have value and which have been in their family for generations. The item is perhaps much more 'valuable' to the family member (s), but that makes no difference if that item goes up for sale publicly. Rarely a Tiffany Studios lamp will bring more than expected or more than an almost identical lamp, if it belonged to a very famous person, such as an ex-president,. a very famous Tiffany lamp collector, or a well loved actor or actress (called the 'provenance'). But those cases are the exception not the rule.

These things factor into how valuable a Tiffany lamp is (cost at auction or private sale). It is interesting to note that even five lamps of the same pattern and size shade will vary in price greatly due to the colors of glass in the shade,  type or types of glass used, condition, and if it is a lamp with a base, the quality and desirability of the base.

1. Rarity: If it is a particularly rare shade design that Tiffany did not make many of, or that were expensive at the time of purchase in the early 20th century, c. 1900-1910 (The "Wisteria" pattern lamp is a good example) the value and desirability of the lamp can be greatly increased. Below is an example of a very nice authentic Tiffany Studios "Wisteria" table lamp:

2. Glass Color: The colors of the glass in a Tiffany lamp shade, particularly the leaded glass shades, can make a large difference in value. One 18 inch dragonfly shaded table lamp can be worth 2-4 times or more from another the same size on the same base, simply because the colors are more vibrant and lovely to collectors. The same is true of course with his many different floral design shades.

3. Type of Glass Used: Tiffany had many kinds of glass he used in his leaded shades. If a lamp has "fancy" glass such as 'confetti,' or 'fractured,' it can enhance the aesthetic look and rarity of the shade, therefore causing the value and appeal of the lamp to be higher. Likewise, his flat, plain glass, or the glass that the Tiffany Studios Lamp Department used, some of which was purchased from outside glass makers, is not as popular or attractive. This can cause a lamp to be worth much less money. The bottom line regarding the glass is that value is mostly determined by the intensity of color and intricacy of the glass used.

4. Condition: While it is not uncommon for most leaded shades above 16" diameter to have a very few tight "hairline cracks" in a few panes of glass (1-6 panes is considered minor) if there are excessive cracks or chips to the glass, or separation at the solder joints or seams in the shade, or if the shade is "out of round," these things can effect the value of a shade greatly. Even the most desirable shade with with dense colors and an appealing design is going to be devalued greatly if the condition is such that the lamp needs many thousands of dollars in restoration. After restoration of course, the lamp has lost some of it's "integrity" since the original glass has been replaced.

5. Size and Shape of the Shade: Size is a factor in determining the value for all Tiffany Studios lamps. The shade size is most influential to the value. There are some rare 'miniature' shades which were shades which were produced in limited editions and therefore and therefore highly desirable today. Likewise, all other things being equal as to colors, condition, pattern, quality and type of glass, a larger shade on a desk, table, hanging or floor lamp is going to be worth more money to most collectors. Regarding shape: Some shade models like the 'helmet-shaped,' 'horizontally flat,' 'bell shape' or 'sharp-shouldered' are not generally popular with collectors because their forms draw the eye first, before the viewer can focus and appreciate the designs and combinations of color in the shade.

6. Base Style: If the Tiffany lamp has a base, it can add a little or quite a bit to the overall value of a desk, table or floor lamp. The fancier and more unusual the base is, the more the total lamp will be worth to a collector. Some lamps have very fancy shades and are on plain bases, while some very plain shades have bases which are worth as much or more than the shades. Also, the correct or optimum base for a shade has great impact in today's market. Certain shades were designed with their own bases, and such pairings should never be violated or mixed up. Doing so will lower the appeal of the lamp and therefore the value. Today's well educated collectors are aware of what is considered the most desirable shade and base combination, and they will often shop for the two separately if necessary to get the ideally paired shade and base.

See below examples of two fancy and valuable bases; one with 'blown out' glass (bottom photo) and one with a much sought after 'twisted vine' bronze base (top photo):

                                                                      

How To Sell Your Authentic Tiffany Studios Lamp: The Options

There are a few options when it comes to selling expensive fine art, and that would certainly include Tiffany Studios lamps. The options are actually not much different than if one was selling a used car or a house full of antiques you might have inherited from a family relative.

1. Auctions: Selling things through auction has been a popular way of disposing of things of all kinds for hundreds of years. These days there are auctioneers and "auction houses" all over the world and in every city of any size. When one is selling art or antiques of any significant value, generally they will look at the larger city auction houses, since they have more money for advertising, they have usually a staff who is more educated in identification, authentication and valuation of items to be sold, and they command a larger bidding audience - in-person, with online bidding in some cases, and through mailed and phone bids.

• Pros: A potentially large audience. The possibility of "auction fever" taking over, which might reap you more than normal for whatever you are selling, and for the large auction houses, huge promotion using catalogs online and in print and other media to preview their sales. Most of the larger auction houses have experts who are able to properly authenticate, identify and assign what they feel to be a fair sales estimate range for a particular lamp.

• Cons: The chance your item will not sell. This is always a risk in the larger auction houses where the owner can put a "reserve price" on their lamp. There is no guarantee of a sale. If the "reserve" price is not met or there are no bids, the owner must decide whether to pay to pack and ship their lamp back, or to give the auction house the permission to sell it at the best price they can get. December 2013 auction sales results for Tiffany Studios lamps at the largest  three auction houses in the country was for most people very depressing and surprising. A high percentage of lamps did not sell, or they sold at their low estimates. The only lamps that seemed to do well were the very expensive and very rare examples. Payment to the owner after a successful sale can take up to 90 days, depending on the auction house and other factors. Fees and costs to pack, ship and insure your lamp to the auction house, and other possible fees for photos, insurance and other things while waiting for the sale date can add up to 20% or more of what your lamp sells for, assuming it sells. The large auction houses will only have usually two auctions for Tiffany lamps per year. So if time is an issue, this might pose a problem for you. "Over exposure" of your lamp - from tens of thousands potentially seeing it's photo and price estimate, if it did not sell, can hurt future chances of selling it, or it can force the owner to reduce the price considerably.

2. Consignment: A person can certainly put their Tiffany lamp on consignment with a Tiffany lamp dealer, a general consignment shop or a consignment shop specializing in fine antiques.

• Pros: Depending on where you consign the lamp, it can get very good exposure to a variety of customers over time. You can often negotiate a time period with the consignment shop or dealer.  If your lamp has not sold within that time frame, you can then take back your lamp and decide what you wish to do next. Payment is usually stated in the written consignment agreement and for most consignment agreements,  the owner is paid in full within 15-45 days.

• Cons: Failure for your lamp to sell within whatever time period is in your agreement. Over-exposure of your lamp, which might make you or someone else selling it later more difficult. Possible expense for appropriate insurance on the lamp since is out of your home and being offered for sale. Not getting as much exposure as you had hoped or as had been promised.

3. Selling It Yourself On eBay, Or Through A Classified Ad:  This is a rather difficult way to sell any expensive item, especially an antique. 

• Pros: You will probably "net" more, assuming you did not have high expenses in advertising it well. You will know within a week or ten days at most whether it is going to sell or not. 

• Cons: You are placing yourself in the position of appraiser, authentication expert and salesperson. If you are 100% certain your lamp is authentic, you still need to know a realistic and fair price to ask. If you price it too high it won't sell. If you price it too low, you won't get a fair price for yourself. You also have to deal with how to describe it, what to charge for packing and shipping (unless the buyers come to your home to look at it) and if it does sell, you will have fees to pay. If it does not sell, then you are back at "square one."

4. Selling Using a Private Expert "Broker" or Agent: I have a bias here of course, since this is what I do. I still believe, after forty years of experience, that in most cases, this can be the best way to guarantee both a sale and a specific net price to the seller, with very little risk. 

• Pros: With my firm, you are guaranteed a sale and a specific "net" price to you. You maintain physical possession of your lamp (s) until you are paid in full. You are paid within seven business days by electronic bank funds deposit to your bank account. There are no issues with insurance or shipping. You pay no fees to me for anything. The way I work, I take a "finder's fee" from the buyer, which usually amounts to 5-8% of the sales price - price paid to you. Once the lamp is sold and you are paid, I help you arrange for packing and shipping and within 3-5 days the lamp is packed and shipped and everything is done in a neat and organized manner. I also will never "over expose" your lamp, divulge your name or in any way discuss the details of the sale with anyone but the seller.

• Cons: There are a very few lamps I agree to sell for someone which, after a week or two I find I cannot sell for some odd reason. Occasionally I will ask the owner if I can reduce the asking price to see if that is the problem. I do this rarely, but sometimes lowering a price by as little as $500-1000. makes the difference. Other times I simply cannot find a buyer. It is rare - perhaps 2% of the many lamps I have ever taken went unsold. In today's world, anything is possible. You must be able to take your lamp to a UPS or Federal Express store after you are paid, so it can be packed professionally (at no cost to you) and shipped off. If your town does not have one of those places (most cities of 10,000 population or more have one of these places) you might need to drive to the closest city to you to deliver the lamp for packing and shipping. Usually only 1-2 times a year do I have a client who doesn't have a UPS Store or Federal Express packing store in their city. So while this is a possible downside, it is very rare.

In summary, there are many ways a person can sell their Tiffany Studios lamp. Depending on a person's financial and time situation, one method might seem much better than the others. Regardless of which method you choose, always be sure to have a very good, detailed, signed contract or agreement with whoever is helping you sell your lamp.  I also suggest that you ask for business references from anyone you entrust to sell your lamp (s).


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Favrile Glass Lamps by Tiffany Studios

Favrile Glass Lamps

Tiffany trademarked the name "Favrile" to generically describe his production. The term means handcrafted and is associated with the first and simplest shades made by Tiffany. Favrile glass included several types of "iridescent" glass which Tiffany also used in the making his beautiful stained-glass windows as well as leaded and blown shades. Today, the term Favrile is meant to describe forms such as shades and other types of  "hollow ware" glass (such as a floriform vase).

Here are some examples of lamps and shades using "Favrile" glass:

Above is a shade from a "lily" shaded lamp, using Favrile glass.

A pair of Favrile glass "candlestick" lamps by Tiffany Studios above.

Above is a common, very basic, gold colored Favrile glass shade desk or "piano" lamp. These were often part of a larger "desk set" of items Tiffany Studios made for use in offices and homes. This shade is adjustable and can be "swung" back and forth to direct the light. The small round "pins" above the shade screwed into the top to hold the shade firmly into the socket.

Above is a three shaded favrile glass lily desk or small table lamp. These lily lamps came in various sizes up to 18 shades in desk, table and floor models.

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A Brief Tiffany Studios History and "Tiffany & Company" - A Distinction

A Brief History on Tiffany Studios Lamps and the Difference between "Tiffany Studios" and "Tiffany and Company"

Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848 - 1933) is often associated with Tiffany & Co., the firm founded by his father, Charles Lewis Tiffany. Although Charles had hoped his son would succeed him as head of the company, Louis' interests leaned more readily toward those of an artistic nature. I think it could be said that Charles Tiffany was a creative but conservative man and his son Louis was a creative and much more "liberal" in his business and personal life interests.

A Tiffany Studios authentic mark used on his lamps on the inner bottom metal rim edge.

Louis Tiffany began his art glass experiments sometime between 1872 and 1878. He purchased glass from 'glass houses'in Brooklyn, New York before he installed his own glass furnaces at Corona on Long Island.Tiffany adapted the Tiffany trademark in 1900. His factory employed more than three hundred workers: designers, artists, glass blowers, and numerous other artisans.


Tiffany's  first commercially produced leaded lamps date from around 1898-99, just in time to be presented at the 1900 "Exposition Universelle" in Paris. Prior to this, the firm's lamp commissions were almost entirely part of its work for church interiors, such as windows.

In addition to lamps and lamp shades, Tiffany Studios also produced vases, scent bottles, tiles, stained-glass windows, glass mosaics and desk furniture. The company remained in business until 1928. Tiffany Studios, renamed The Louis C. Tiffany Furnaces in the early 1920s, remained in business until 1937, even after its furnaces in Corona had been sold to an employee, Douglas Nash, in 1928.  After 1928 it was managed by Joseph Briggs to complete outstanding commissions - for the most part church windows - from a workshop in Manhattan. Tiffany died on January 17, 1933, and is buried in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.

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Antique Tiffany Lamps - Some Clues to Authenticity

Hello!

I receive dozens of emails and several phone calls weekly from people who go to my Antique Tiffany Lamps web site or go to the Tiffany Studios lamps section on the Fine Art Investments  web site. Of those who fill out the simple “Lamp Evaluation Form” or one of the other short forms, probably 70% of them state that their lamp is unsigned, or they ask me how to tell if they have an “authentic” Tiffany Studios lamp or not. Maybe these unsure people lack the time to read the main sections of the web site or maybe I am not clear enough. The answer to that question is shown and described on the web site. I’ll elaborate more here, but I’ll also refer you to the following pages and links on the Fine Art Investments web site which are there  to help you and also to help me determine if what you have is an authentic Tiffany Studios lamp:

http://www.fineartinvestments.org/tiffanylamps.shtml

http://www.antiquetiffanylamps.com/

http://www.antiquetiffanylamps.com/examples.shtml

In addition to the pages and images on the pages above, and to repeat some things that I have written and that are basic facts about Tiffany lamps of the hanging, desk, table lamp or floor lamp styles (leaded shades) I will add these things that are in my experience reliable guidelines to follow when assessing what you have or do not have:

• The majority of all authentic Tiffany Studios leaded glass lamp shades (regardless of whether they are hanging shades, table lamps, desk lamps or floor lamps) are "stamp signed" into the bottom inner metal shade rim. It will say "TIFFANY STUDIOS NEW YORK," sometimes with a number beside that to the right. It will be in small, all capital “block” font letters. True, some shades are not signed, but the majority of them most commonly found are signed. There are slight variations to how the rim signature looks - it can be on a small bronze "tag" soldered to the rim also, but it will always say, "TIFFANY STUDIOS NEW YORK." Also it's good to remember that even if signed, unless you have owned the shade/lamp since before about 1963, it could be a very good forgery. Only an expert can tell for certain if it is authentic. I can tell if you send me very clear, well lighted digital photos of the lamp and the signature.  

• If is a "lily" light shaded desk, table or floor lamp or unleaded dome shaped, "cased glass" iridescent style shade, the signature will be etched into the top of the narrow neck of the shade rim, (where it goes up into the socket) with the initials "L.C.T." or "L.C.T. Favrile."  

• All of Tiffany's leaded lamp bases are made of a bronze "metalware" alloy.  A very few leaded shade lamps have a glass base, but these are rare. Also, a few were made from art pottery. The 'bronze' bases (in brown color or sometimes gold) will have a solid plate on the bottom of the base, (exception being a few bases with tripod or individual curved feet, in which case the same signature will usually be on the bottom of one of the feet, where it sits on a table or floor. It will likewise say “TIFFANY STUDIOS NEW YORK,” also with a number stamped below that signature usually. If it says “Dale Tiffany” or has numbers only, or has any other manufacturer’s name, “Made in Mexico,” or things of that nature, the base certainly is not by Tiffany Studios. There are 1-2 other variations or "looks" to these base signatures. But it will always say "TIFFANY STUDIOS NEW YORK" in all capital block letters.

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