HOME & GARDEN :: AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2007
Treasures in the Attic
If you are somewhere between the ages of 40 and 60 it’s possible you saw your grandparents treasure a particular lamp in their house more than others. This lamp probably sat on its own table of honor in the living room or formal parlor where only guests were allowed to enter and dust never congregated. If it was made of stained glass and boasting beautiful floral, geometric, or jeweled patterns this lamp most likely was a Louis Comfort Tiffany reproduction. In the rarest of possibilities, the lamp could even be an original made by Tiffany’s factory in the early twentieth century potentially worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in today’s most prestigious auction houses.
Born in 1848, Louis Comfort Tiffany was the elder son of Charles Lewis Tiffany famed founder of Tiffany & Co. Louis traveled much of Europe and Asia in his youth, building a practical understanding of fine art and architecture to add to his burgeoning knowledge of jewelry and accessory design. Wanting to make his own mark on the world rather than work for his father Louis began his business in interior design. His goal was to introduce the beauty and prestige of fine art into everyday life, especially in the home, by using many different materials and compositions. His list of clients included Mark Twain, Cornelius Vanderbilt, and a suite of rooms in the White House.
Tiffany’s glass business started off with the production of windows. Before Louis came along, stained glass windows were painted rather than using colored glass and assembling them into designs. Unhappy with color and small selection of traditional glass, Louis started his own glass blowing factory in New York. Using different compounds and oxides, Tiffany was able to produce an opalescent glass that revolutionized the industry.
It wasn’t until he worked on a project at the Lyceum Theatre in New York that Tiffany began to make the lamps we recognize today. After a chance meeting with revolutionary Thomas Edison, Tiffany became fascinated by the use of electric light. He began to take glass scraps from his windows and assembling them into shades meant for lamps. Fiercely adamant that the standards of craftsmanship show in all aspects of his creations Tiffany used beautiful bronze sculptures as his first lamp bases. To this day, the companies that make fine reproductions are influenced by some of the original designs and molds.
Unwavering in his determination to bring fine art into everyday life, you can find Tiffany’s designs in all functions of lighting and accessories today. No longer confined to table lamps and hanging chandeliers Tiffany designs can be found in outdoor lighting, wall sconces, and bathroom lighting and accessories now include items such as collectors animals, fireplace screens, plates, and of course the ever stunning Tiffany windows. Tiffany products are also no longer made for the filthy rich. Many Tiffany lamps and windows are now affordable for those with even the smallest of budgets.
Sunlighting, Ltd. offers an extraordinarily extensive collection of Tiffany style products. Manufactured with the finest quality materials and created with exceptional craftsmanship by Quoizel, the Tiffany products displayed at Sunlighting are some of the most beautiful pieces on the market today. Tiffany style table lamps, floor lamps, hanging chandeliers, windows, collectible animals and accessories fill out Sunlighting’s display collection and will grace any environment in your home with its beautiful patterns and striking designs. Sunlighting also offers a repair service if you are one of those with a treasure found in the attic. We take the utmost care in servicing your lamp or chandelier to bring it back to its original beauty.
When choosing a Tiffany piece, take into account your design scheme. Is it modern? Is it traditional? Depending on your style and needs the designs vary greatly. Geometric patterns often work well with modern or mission style décor, whereas the traditional floral patterns such as “Wisteria” work better in more traditional rooms.
Dining rooms are also a popular spot to feature a Tiffany. Stunning color combinations add style and grace to any formal room. However, in keeping with the beliefs of Louis Tiffany, you don’t need to restrict Tiffany patterns to formal rooms. Tiffany lamps can be used in family rooms, offices, breakfast areas, or when you just want a splash of color to brighten up a dark corner. Tiffany windows can be used instead of draperies where you need privacy and the collectable animals are great for hallway nightlights or in children’s rooms.
Tiffany products were not always viewed as beautiful works of art. After a short period of modernism in the 1930’s and 40’s which deposited many of his creations in attics across the country, Tiffany would be proud to know that today his designs are inspiring creations which are timeless and will no doubt stretch across many generations.
Come visit us during our annual Tiffany sale! Starting on Wednesday, September 12th and running until Sunday, September 23rd all Tiffany products are marked down to their lowest prices of the year.
For more information, contact Sunlighting, Ltd. at 302.998.7779 or stop by their showroom at 115 Kirkwood Square, right off Kirkwood Highway entrance to Delaware Park in Wilmington, DE. Sunlighting is open Mon-Thurs 10-6, Fri 10-9, Sat 10-5, Sun 12-5.
Join us for our Annual Tiffany Sale September 12th - 23rd
