Designer Lighting - Tiffany Lamps

Lighting plays an important role in your home decorating scheme. Not only is it necessary for functional use, lighting is used to create the atmosphere you want for each area of your home. Lighting is also used to accent other decor, such as wall art, plants or a display of treasured collectibles.

Lamps, chandeliers and wall sconces themselves can be considered works of art, especially in the case of Tiffany lamps. The first Tiffany lamp was created in the late 1800's by Louis Comfort Tiffany, a designer from New York. The lamps were inspired from the stained glass windows Tiffany created. The different designs of his lamps are roughly categorized as Irregular Upper, Lower Border, Favrile, Geometric, Transition to Flowers, Flowered Cone and Flowered Globe lamps. The first two designs were meant to simulate a branch, tree or shrubbery. The next design, Favrile, means handcrafted. Small geometric shapes such as triangles, squares, ovals and rectangles were used for the Geometric design. Nature and botanical influences such as flowers, butterflies, dragonflies, peacock feathers, spiders and webs were used for the Transition to Flowers, Flowered Cone and Flowered Globe designs.

Tiffany lamps are made using a process called the Copper Foil Method. The process begins with a pattern for the lamp being drawn on a heavy piece of cardboard. A color and number is assigned on each pattern piece. Next the glass is laid over the pattern and traced. The glass pieces are then cut out and ground to their exact shape. Each piece is cleaned and the copper foil applied to the edges. This solution is what adheres the glass pieces together. The edges are then soldered to hold the pieces firmly. A final cleaning completes the process.

Today, one of the leading manufacturers of Tiffany lamps is Meyda Tiffany, located in Yorkville, New York. This family run business bought Quality Bent Glass, a supplier of original lighting fixtures to Tiffany Studios in New York City during the early 1900's. Meyda still uses the original tools, molds and techniques of this supplier. Meyda also acquired a metal art studio and uses its equipment and manufacturing techniques to produce the rustic looking Old Forge line of steel sculptured lighting and decor.

Tiffany lamps now come in many different styles and designs. No matter what type of decor you have in your home, a Tiffany lamp makes a beautiful addition.