Tiffany Studios

John Lafayette Hutcheson, Sr. and Laura Lewis Hutcheson, Chattanooga, TN, circa 1905
By descent to John Lafayette Hutcheson, Jr. and Hazel Montague Hutcheson, circa 1930
By descent to John Lafayette Hutcheson III and Betty Rewcastle Hutcheson, circa 1967
Thence by descent to the present owners

John Wilson, "Pioneer Families:  Hutchesons Had Nation's Top Woolen Mill, Ran Dairy Farm," Chattanooga Free Press, March 8, 1998, p. B2 (for a detailed history of the Hutcheson family)

Overall in very good condition. This lamp is being consigned by descendants of the original owners and by all accounts the shade and base have originated together as a unit since the period. This is further supported by the shade and base components being impressed with the same production number, 2267. The shade with approximately 18 cracks to the glass tiles dispersed throughout, which is a relatively low number in proportion to the vast number of glass tiles required to execute this complex and monumental shade. The shade with surface soiling around the perimeter contours of the glass adjacent to the shade leading, most prevalent on the top shoulder of the lamp. The interior of the shade with some traces of a beige surface residue which appears to be easily removable with water. (If desired the lamp would benefit from a sensitive gentle cleaning. We refrained from doing any cleaning as we wanted to present the lamp in its original untouched condition.) The interior of the shade with traces of a green pigment on a few individual lead lines, presumably from a prior generation to stabilize a few minor areas of the shade leading. There is no evidence of any glass replacement throughout the shade. The top bronze armature of the shade with some gentle rubbing to the high points of the design, and with some light surface soiling and residue to the recessed contours of the branching. The upper branching and shade leading are beautifully articulated and display a rich russet brown and green patina. The patinated bronze Tree base displays outstanding details to the casting, as well as an exceptionally deep and rich green and russet brown patina. The bronze surfaces with some occasional light surface scratches, rubbing to the patina at the high points of the design and adjacent to the base switch, and with some minor traces of surface soiling to the recessed contours consistent with age and gentle use. The base standard with a small area of surface abrasions and minor flaking to the patina. The base retains its original bronze decorative switch, which shows some gentle rubbing to the outer contours. This switch is fully functional as a two-way switch, though the interior “snap” mechanism is not firmly catching/snapping as it should. (This is quite common with period two-way switches; if desired this mechanism could be repaired or replaced by a Tiffany restorer.) All four of the electric sockets are original and undisturbed. (The socket casings appear to be quite early, pre 1904 design.) The lamp displays beautifully in person with strong visual presence. The glass selection is early and highly artistic. The Wisteria blossoms are articulated in a full range of cobalt blue and violet hues, and the lower panicles are thoughtfully accented with translucent tones of warm pale grey, which imparts the shade with a sense of luminosity and light. The green leaves also show a wide range of hues, from deep emerald green, to yellow-green, to teal. The shade shows strong visual movement around the full circumference, largely due to the thoughtful placement of different hues and weights to define the dripping Wisteria clusters. The composition is lyrical and full of movement. A beautiful example of this iconic model with remarkable original family provenance.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The Wisteria lamp model is one of the most iconic lamp designs produced by Tiffany Studios.  Its complex pattern is comprised of nearly 2,000 pieces of glass that had to be individually selected and cut.  Consequently, each Wisteria lamps possesses its own distinct color variations.  This particular example has an exquisite range of deep cobalt blue and violet glass, delicately balanced with softer pastel tonalities to show the dimensionality of the dripping wisteria clusters.  The lower panicles are selectively accented in varying tones of translucent pale gray glass which appear resplendent when remitting the soft illuminated glow from within the lamp.  The overall effect achieved by the glass selection is lyrical and full of movement, capturing the lushness of the wisteria blossom in bloom.  The shade and base are both impressed with the firm’s production number, 2267, reinforcing that both components originated together from the time of manufacture.

The present example has an extraordinary historical provenance, descending in the Hutcheson family of Chattanooga, Tennessee from the period.   The original owner of the lamp, John Lafayette Hutcheson, was born two years after the Civil War.  He was one of the founders of the Park Woolen Mills, which produced jeans throughout the south, and of the Peerless Woolen Mills, which grew into the largest woolen mill in the country.  His son, John L. Jr., headed Peerless Woolen Mills until its merger with Burlington Industries in 1952.  The Hutchesons' lines of family business also included banking, real estate, fine horses and cattle breeding, and a myriad of charitable endeavors.  They were known to have homes richly adorned with fine and decorative arts.  In addition to this Wisteria lamp, the family also acquired in the period from Tiffany Studios a banded turtleback tile lamp with a magnificent turtleback and mosaic favrile glass base that is documented in family photographs. 

In 1906, the price for a Wisteria lamp was $400.00, making it one of the more expensive lamps in Tiffany’s line.  As revered as this luxury items was in the period, the Wisteria lamp is now widely recognized as an icon of American design and one of Tiffany Studios’ most accomplished masterworks in leaded glass.  The present example presents collectors with a rare opportunity to acquire a stunning example of this iconic lamp model from descendants of the original owners.