Collection Highlights

Dragonfly table lamp
Date:
ca. 1900-1906
Object Number:
N84.113.1
Medium:
Glass, bronze

SUPPORT THE NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Help us present groundbreaking exhibitions and develop educational programs about our nation's history for more than 200,000 schoolchildren annually.

DONATE TODAY

collections > Luce Center > Trumpet Creeper table lamp

Museum Collections

back

Luce Center

Trumpet Creeper table lamp

Object Number: 
N84.99.1
Artist/Maker:
Tiffany Studios
Designer:
Clara Driscoll
Date: 
ca. 1900-1906
Medium: 
Glass, bronze
Dimensions: 
Overall (height, diameter): 28 1/2 × 22 in. (72.4 × 55.9 cm)
Marks: 
stamped on metal tag inside shade: \"TIFFANY STUDIOS NEW YORK\"\r\nunderside of base stamped with Tiffany Glass & Decorating Co. logo and 2674
Description: 

Leaded glass and bronze "Trumpet Creeper" table lampshade; 22" diameter globe-shaped shade with incurving border depicting bugle-shaped trumpet vine flowers in four design repeats; blossoms rendered in mottled orange, red and purple; stems of vine light green and foliage a variety of mottled greens; background of blue glass striated with purple. Crownlike embellishment consisting of 8 bronze flanges attached to aperture. Shown on bronze table lamp base (N84.99.2); flared stem has 16 strips of mosaic inlay ranging in color from green to red; 8 red turtlebacks set into sides of central section above stem; 4 curved arms stretch outward to receive rim of shade.

Gallery Label: 

Decorators and homeowners concerned about the harshness of the recently invented electric lightbulb appreciated the soft, diffuse light from Tiffany lamps. This lamp contains a second light source within the base that illuminates the circle of eight tiles of iridescent pressed glass, called "turtlebacks" because of their distinctive shape.

Bibliography: 

Gray, Nina. "The work of Tiffany Studios." The Magazine Antiques 167 (2005): 194-201.

Credit Line: 
Gift of Dr. Egon Neustadt; Adopt-a-Lamp sponsor: Louise Mirrer in honor of Pam Schafler, New-York Historical Society Board Chair
Provenance: 

Lillian Nassau Ltd., 1967

Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Creative: Tronvig Group