Tiffany Studios New York "Tulip" Table Lamp
The exquisite Tiffany Studios New York "Tulip" leaded glass table lamp features brilliant red tulips with mottled green leaves, sitting atop a gilt bronze "Mock Turtle" base. The tulips' blooms are recreated with stunning realism—in some cases on the shade, all six petals of a number of blossoms can be seen romantically unfurling—and are pictured ingeniously overlapping to create the illusion of depth. Because of the dynamic sky blue ground on the upper portion of the shade, and the earthy tones present throughout the lower apron, this table lamp gives the impression of gazing at a tulip bed on a sunny afternoon.
- Product Details
- Curator's Notes
Item #: L-14648
Artist: Tiffany Studios New York
Circa: 1906-1910
Dimensions: 18" diameter (shade), 23.25" height (full lamp with base)
Materials: Leaded glass, Bronze
Shade Signed: “Tiffany Studios New York 1596”
Base Signed: “Tiffany Studios New York 587”
Literature: Shade and base pictured separately in Tiffany Lamps and Metalware: An illustrated reference to over 2000 models, by Alastair Duncan, Woodbridge, Suffolk: Antiques Collectors' Club Ltd. (base: p. 110, cat. 454, base # 587; shade: p. 179, cat. 682, shade # 1546); Similar shade also pictured in The Lamps of Tiffany, by Dr. Egon Neustadt, New York: The Fairfield Press, 1970, p. 150, plate 212
Louis Comfort Tiffany first fell in love with the red tulip as a young man during his trips to the Near East. While journeying through Persia and the Ottoman empire, Tiffany learned from his guide the lore and history of the region. Among his favorite stories was that of Farhad and Shirin, considered by many to be Persia's Romeo and Juliet. In Persian folklore, the first Tulip is said to have bloomed from the blood of star-crossed lovers.