Tiffany Studios New York "Turtleback Tile" Chandelier

Rippling undulations in gold iridescence and soft, organic lines dominate this ethereal but weighty composition, an exceptional example of a Tiffany Studios New York "Turtleback Tile" chandelier. Three tiers of vertically oriented rectangular Turtleback tiles with rounded corners graduate in size, with substantially sized tiles decorating the bottom-most tier and the apex of the domed shade featuring tightly clustered tiles in miniature. Sumptuous and romantically uneven borders frame each tile, accentuating their unique silhouettes and adding a dark, matte element to contrast the bright, shimmering gold that dominates the shade.

In today’s world nearly all Tiffany chandeliers are lacking original Tiffany hardware or any Tiffany hanging parts at all. In some cases the chandeliers were originally  made with kerosene lighting that was discarded with the widespread adoption of electricity. More frequently, original Tiffany hanging parts were left behind when the shades were taken to a new residence. Referencing an original Tiffany design found in historical literature, we brought the light back to its former glory as a chandelier, with a handmade suspension mechanism.