Tiffany Lamp Auction & Appraisal

Tiffany Studios lamps are known for their exquisite craftsmanship, high-quality materials, and, nowadays, their rarity. In fact, Tiffany actually invented a new way of attaching stained glass by use of a copper foiling technique; this process removed the need to connect glass pieces with heavy rods, resulting in an overall more delicate look and feel. Tiffany also invited an entirely new type of glass, favrile glass, by means of blending various colors together to create an iridescent color. Both of these exciting manufacturing advancements, along with the bespoke, artisan materials used by craftsmen, make Tiffany stained glass lamps a unique, collectible item.

And, as is typical in the art world, the rarity of an item increases its value. Authentic Tiffany Studios lamps are uncommon because there are so few of them globally, especially in good condition. Tiffany Studios stopped producing the lamps early in the 20th century, so they are a treasured find today.

Tiffany Studio lamps are extremely valuable and rare, making them a high-ticket item for both buyers and sellers. But, given their luxury status, there are also many dupes out there. Starting as early as the 1920s, Tiffany-style lamps were created in an effort to capitalize on the popularity of Tiffany Studio lamps. While a real Tiffany Lamp could sell for upwards of 3.5 million dollars, a reproduction max’s out at $5,000. 

Remember, if you see an antique Tiffany lamp for sale at a price that seems too good to be true, it likely is. 

While it takes a credentialed Tiffany lamp expert to truly authenticate a vintage Tiffany Studios lamp, there are certain tell-tale signs and characteristics that can help you determine quickly if the lamp in front of you is authentic or a reproduction. 

1. Research Its Origins

If the lamp has had only a single owner (or has stayed in one family tree), then it’s likely an authentic Tiffany Studios lamp. If someone has a Tiffany lamp, they’re likely not going to let go of it easily, which is why these lamps typically originate from a single owner. If you see a supposed Tiffany lamp at an auction house, ask the operator to tell you more about its background; in most cases, authentic lamps will have an established home with a rich history of origin, which makes Tiffany Studios lamps so sought after.

2. Check The Base

The overwhelming majority of authentic Tiffany stained glass lamps have hollow bases made of pure bronze, with a select rare few having art pottery bases. Original Tiffany lamps also sometimes have a ring of lead in the base, which was added to prevent them from becoming too top-heavy once the stained glass shades were added (given the bronze bases themselves aren’t that heavy). If your lamp doesn’t have a bronze base, ringed with lead, it’s like just a Tiffany-style lamp rather than the real thing. 

Also, be aware that bronze develops a beautiful patina over time. This oxidation process causes the bronze to develop a film that’s slightly brown or green in hue. While the change in color represents a slight degradation of the original metal, it is still a desirable signal that the base is indeed made of bronze.  However, you can’t look for patina alone, as this can be faked through paints – which can be very convincing. 

3. Review The Material Quality – Look Out For Paint

The artisans who constructed Tiffany stained glass lamps made them entirely by hand with the highest quality materials available. If the lamp itself or composing materials look cheap/poorly attached, it’s likely not a genuine Tiffany lamp. The shade is a great place to check the quality of materials;  if the glass seems painted or too tightly attached to the base of the shade, it’s like a reproduction, as Tiffany created their colors and textures with the glass itself. There shouldn’t be any paint present on an original Tiffany Studios piece.

It’s also important to note that Tiffany lamps are now antiques, so it’s natural for some of the glass pieces to have come slightly loose, as the bonding materials have broken down over time. If you tap the shade and hear a loose rattle of the glass, it’s likely authentic. 

4. Identify Relevant Stamps & Signatures

Tiffany Studios had an array of stamping and signature styles they used throughout the creation of Tiffany lamps, so it’s important to become familiar with some of the more obvious dupes. One major thing to identify is whether or not the letters in the stamps are capitalized. If the letters are in all caps, it’s likely legit. If there is a mix of upper and lower case letters, it’s like a reproduction. 

Another way to identify an authentic, antique Tiffany lamp is to look for the maker’s mark. The marking of a real Tiffany Studios piece includes the company name, “Tiffany Studios New York.” Some even have serial numbers included. If the Tiffany logo is off-center, tilted, or has different size letters, the lamp is probably a reproduction. 

5. Check The Switch

Genuine Tiffany lamps will have a turn-paddle knob to turn it on and off, with a select few having a pull chain or switch at the base. Some of the older models may even be oil lamps. If it has any other type of switch fixture, the lamp is probably just a Tiffany-style reproduction.

6. Identity A Motif

Every Tiffany Studios lamp has a unique motif, and some were even custom designs. There are several popular motifs the studio used in their designs, including:

7. Look Into The Glass

Tiffany Studios was, and is, known for making beautiful, rich colors and textures in its glass. One style they’re particularly known for is “confetti glass”, which involves adding small specks of colored glass into another to create a speckled, confetti-like look. Check for this feature to help determine if you have an authentic Tiffany lamp. 

Another color to look out for is gold – Tiffany Studios were known for gold-colored, slightly-translucent glass with an amber sheen. If the gold glass in your lamp looks like it has a slightly green or silver sheen, it’s probably not authentic.

Again, while it does take an expert eye and years of training to know how to authenticate a Tiffany lamp, these quick tips will help you get a sense of if you’re working with the real deal or a dupe. And, as always, we recommend getting a formal Tiffany lamp appraisal from a reputable dealer.