Tiffany Lighting History

Tiffany Lamps

Louis Comfort Tiffany was one of the greatest painters and designers of American decorative art. He was born in New York in 1848, the son of Charles Lewis Tiffany.  Charles Lewis Tiffany was the founder of Tiffany & Co. the highly regarded jewellery retailer. Incredibly talented and creative, Louis Comfort Tiffany enjoyed a remarkable career. L.C. Tiffany made his most impressive mark on the art scene by designing stained glass windows, lamps, mosaics and other fine decorative jewellery. Tiffany's work was exhibited worldwide. At the turn of the 20th century Tiffany earned several prizes, honours, and international status at the Universal Exposition in Paris. Louis Comfort Tiffany was as skilful a businessman as he was an artist. Prior to being named the first Design Director of his father's Tiffany & Co. in 1902, he managed a number of interior design firms and decorative art companies.

Louis Comfort Tiffany was incredibly innovative and single-handed set the stained glass world on a new course. Tiffany came up with an idea to amalgamate bits and pieces of discarded glass thrown off from production of his stained glass windows to form beautiful decorative lamps. Tiffany's diverse collection of eclectic colours and techniques, known today as Tiffany glass, continues to be in a class of it's own. Louis Comfort Tiffany was heavily influenced by Japanese art forms in which nature was front, and centre.

An artist by design

Louis Comfort Tiffany, a man of fine tastes, was a very popular interior designer. He introduced his style and left his mark in the U.S. by redecorating a number of private homes and public spaces. Mark Twain, Cornelius Vanderbilt and, the presidential White House is listed among Tiffany’s clients.

A Brief Timeline of The Life of Louis Comfort Tiffany

1878 First business is launched, Louis C. Tiffany & Co.
First stained-glass figure window is produced

1885 Tiffany works with Thomas Edison to develop the decorative
and stage lighting for the Lyceum Theatre in New York City, the
first theatre ever to have electric illumination.

1892 Tiffany establishes his first plant, Tiffany Furnaces, in Corona, NY.

1893 Two large-scale Tiffany light fixtures are on display at the
World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago

1899 The first important exhibition of Tiffany products is held in
London. Show includes blown-glass vases and bowls, pendants for
electric lights, lamp and candle shades

1900 First electric Tiffany table lamp exhibited in Paris

1906-1916 A large number of gift items are added to the line, including jewellery boxes, 
cigar boxes, picture frames, planters, spun metal dishes. 

1919 Louis C. Tiffany retires from active participation in his
company, but retains title of President. Tiffany Studios' sumptuous
building on Madison Ave. in New York is vacated. Tiffany returns to
his early love, oil painting, and devotes time to establishing the
Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation.

1933 Tiffany dies at age 85.

Tiffany Style Table lamps and Lights
Much of our Tiffany range is in the style of the original Tiffany lamps developed by Louis Comfort Tiffany around 1879 at the beginning of the electric lighting era. Original Tiffany pieces are valuable collector items and only available to a few people. We bring you an extensive range of superb quality lamps handcrafted in the style of Tiffany.

Our Tiffany table lamps, Tiffany ceiling lights, Tiffany floor stands, Tiffany up lighters are recognised for intricacy of design and superb quality of coloured glass. Each Tiffany piece is handcrafted assuring you of a unique and valuable addition to your home decoration. Made from individual pieces of stained glass our Tiffany table lamps provide warm and rich lighting creating ambience in your home.