Lot 448
  • 448

Tiffany Studios

Estimate
280,000 - 360,000 USD
bidding is closed

Description

  • Tiffany Studios
  • "Laburnum” Floor Lamp
  • shade impressed TIFFANY STVDIOS NEW YORK 1537
    base and base plate each impressed TIFFANY STUDIOS/NEW YORK/379 and 6
  • leaded glass, gilt bronze

Provenance

Private European Collection
Acquired from the above by the present owner

Literature

Martin Eidelberg, Alice Cooney Frelinghuysen, Nancy A. McClelland and Lars Rachen, The Lamps of Louis Comfort Tiffany, New York, 2005, pp. 114-115 (for the shade model)

Condition

Overall in very good condition. This lamp has historic provenance going back to the period, and by all accounts the shade, base and heat cap have all remained together since the period. This is further supported by the complementary gilt finish on all of these components. The shade with approximately 25-30 cracks to the glass tiles dispersed throughout, which is a relatively low number in proportion to the vast number of glass tiles which were required to execute this complex and large shade. All of these hairlines appear stable. The shade, which appears to be in untouched condition, with considerable surface soiling to the glass tiles and adjacent contours of the shade leading. There is a small fleck to the upper right corner on a brown laburnum branch tile just beneath the top aperture (adjacent to a hairline), as well as a small fleck to the upper left corner of a yellow laburnum petal in the upper shade register (also adjacent to a hairline). The shade leading displays with a rich gilt patina, with some areas of rubbing and scattered losses to the patina throughout. The gilt bronze surfaces of the base with surface wear and abrasions, surface soiling and discolorations, and with some small scattered spots of oxidation, all consistent with age and use. The six sockets and paddle switches appear original and undisturbed. With a custom "tear drop" gilt heat cap that was designed to conform to the wider diameter of this base wheel. The heat cap with one tiny bruise to the side perimeter, one larger shallow indentation to the upper reticulated register, and with some minor dark areas of discoloration to one localized area of the perimeter (1.5 inch area). The coloration of this shade is superb, displaying great voracity and brilliance to the rich cobalt blues articulating the shade crown and background passages. The laburnum blossoms are also articulated in a wide range of vigorously mottled glass in both warm and cool tones. The lamp presents beautifully, displaying a very approachable scale for a floor lamp. The colors are far more brilliant and radiant than seen the catalogue illustrations, which appear somewhat flat and subdued.
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.