Tiffany Style Lamps

Interior Decorating with Tiffany Lamps

When comes to interior decorating and choosing light fixtures there really is nothing more beautiful than a Tiffany style lamp or lamp shade. Tiffany lamps were first created in the seventeenth century. Each lamp was handmade by skilled craftsmen such as was most things in those days. The original designer of Tiffany lamps was Clara Driscoll, a noted creative designer of leaded glass lamps.

The original Tiffany lamps are grouped into one of seven specific categories:

·       Irregular upper borders

·       Irregular lower border

·       Favrile

·       Geometric

·       Transition to flowers

·       Flowered cones

·       Flowered globe lamps

How Tiffany lamps are made:

Tiffany lamps are constructed by using the copper foil soldering method. A pattern for the lamp is drawn on a heavy piece of cardboard. Each piece is numbered and the glass color is written on each pattern piece. The pattern is traced onto the glass and the pieces cut to their correct shape. Next the copper foil is applied to the edges of the glass and the edges are soldered together.  

Tiffany lamps have been providing luxurious home décor for three centuries and are still just as popular today for home decorating. They are used for spot lighting, desks and table lighting, floor lamps and ceiling light fixtures. 

Unfortunately there are a lot of copy cat cheap Tiffany lamps on the market that are mass produced and are often made of plastic rather than glass. There are many art and craft shops that carry Tiffany style lamps that are made in the same way they were three hundred years ago. Although they are expensive they are absolutely beautiful.

Stain glass artisans replicate Tiffany lamps in a variety of styles and color patterns. Antique hunters often find authentic Tiffany lamps in antique shops that require repair. Many stain glass artisans replicate and do repairs on these ancient lamps and do a fantastic job of matching the craftsmanship.     

If you are looking for something that is unusual in home decorating, purchase a Tiffany lamp. In addition to the traditional table lamp they are available in sconces and accent light pieces. If you cannot locate one, contact a stain glass artisan who will in most cases be able to make what you want.

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