Antiques -> Decorative Arts

Tiffany lamps offer collectors a chance not only to find something valuable but also a collector’s piece that is functional and beautiful. If you are looking for a piece that will enhance your home as well as your bottom line, then this is definitely a collectible to consider. However, there are a few things that you need to know before you purchase a Tiffany lamp.

1. Don’t be Fooled by Fakes
Reproductions are incredibly common. The term Tiffany lamp refers to two very different things. The first means that it was a design made by the actual Louis C. Tiffany. The second refers to the general style of these lamps, in that they have stained glass shades and sturdy bases. The first is incredibly valuable, the second may be expensive, but is not an actual collector’s item.

2. Look for the Mark
A genuine Tiffany lamp that was designed by Louis C. Tiffany will contain his mark, which was LCT. Look for this on the lamp’s base, or possibly on the shade, depending on which year it was made. Some authentic Tiffany lamps will actually have a small paper label, while others will contain his full name and a reference number. These are the most desirable. However, this is usually not enough to tell if a Tiffany lamp is genuine.

3. Solder Matters
Pay attention to the solder on the shade of a Tiffany lamp. A brand new reproduction will often have solder that is either incredibly perfect, or poorly done, depending on the origin of the piece. A real Tiffany lamp will usually have solder that has a few mistakes, making it a bit imperfect. That is actually part of its charm, and part of Louis C. Tiffany’s philosophy, where the look of the glass mattered more to him than the technical part of putting it together.

4. Look for surface decorations
Many of Louis C. Tiffany’s lamps were devoid of surface decorations, again because he preferred to let the beauty of the glass speak for the lamp. The bases for these Tiffany lamps may not be as intricate as today’s models, and were generally more functional.

5. Buyer Beware
Thanks to today’s technology it is very easy to produce a fake Tiffany lamp. Above all, collectors should remember that if a price appears to be too good to be true, it usually is. In fact, some of the best designs that were made by Tiffany were never actually marked and were intended to be gifts for his friends and employees. While you can use the above criteria to assist you, it should not be the final word on whether or not a lamp is authentic.

The best solution is to shop for a Tiffany lamp from a reputable dealer that has built up a solid reputation of providing original Tiffany lamps. Avoid overly low prices and remember, that sometimes, it’s all about the beauty of the glass – just like Tiffany believed. If you like a lamp and find that it is beautiful, not being able to authenticate it shouldn’t keep you from enjoying it, just as long as you understand that it may not have value beyond it’s actual beauty.

Photo Credits: Beesnest McClain

Originally posted 2008-08-15 05:00:31. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• Sideboard Dealers -> Furniture -> Cabinets-Armoires-Cupboards A sideboard is a piece of furniture used to display China or to set food out while dining. The sideboards we’re familiar with first appeared in the 1700s, but became more popular in the 1800s when more people had dining rooms to eat in, and......
• Antique Lighting Antiques -> Decorative Arts -> Lamps Whether you are trying to restore an older home and would like to keep it in the period style, or you just appreciate older light fixtures, antique lighting has much to offer. There are many different styles from Victorian, to Art Deco to Modern......
• Antique Chairs Antiques -> Furniture -> Chairs In the market for a collectible that will not only be useful but also beautify your home? Antique chairs are the perfect solution. These are a very popular type of collectible and no matter what type of furniture you’re interested in, chances are you’ll be......
• Antique Bird Cages Dealers -> Antiques -> Decorative-Arts Years ago, before the introduction of plastics and resins, even animals’ indoor homes like antique bird cages were considered beautiful pieces of furniture. Of course, some were plain and utilitarian, but many more were actually created in the popular furniture styles of the times. Bird......
• Antique Doors Antiques -> Architectural and Garden -> Doors Antique doors have much to offer the private collector and many of these, depending on the materials used, and the designer may actually be worth quite a lot of money. Whether you are looking for a collectible that you can put to good......

• Metal Instruments 101 pt 2 ... Flexatone continued. It is fixed at the wide end to a metal frame that is approximately 30 cm or 12 in in length that possesses rubber beater or wooden beaters at the lower end, attached to rods. The player will wave the flexatone instrument around so that the beaters......
• Sports Memorabilia Collecting 101 Before you jump into the world of sports memorabilia collecting, there is some basic information that you should be well aware of. First and foremost, you should have an understanding of certain terms that are common when it comes to sports memorabilia collecting. For example: Photos, jerseys, cards and related......
• When Foreign Currency is Best There are some people who try to stick with the currency of their home country when coin collecting. They want the coins that they are looking for to be somewhat easy to find, and are proud of their country and cultural heritage. While this is commendable and can provide a......
• Coin Collecting: The Hunt for the Coin The biggest thrill of coin collecting comes in the form of the actual hunt and chase for the coin itself. There are plenty of coin collectors who thrive on the thrill of the chase, spending hours upon hours looking for one particular coin. There is plenty of excitement and joy......
• Value of a Coin Collecting Book Collecting coins is simply a hobby or a passion for some people, but for other people it is truly a science. For at least the past century, people have been taking this hobby much more seriously and now there are a myriad of different coin collecting book options to choose......

• Floor Lamps Lamps Lamps, Lighting & Ceiling Fans Home Store
• Mark Rakes, Shovels & Hoes Garden Tools & Equipment Gardening & Plants Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living Nursery
• Sleeping Beauty Disney Characters, Movies Pins, Buttons Contemporary (1968-Now) Disneyana Collectibles
• Glass Slides Acoustic Musical Instruments
• Tiffany Chandeliers Home Lighting