Tiffany Studios

with a rare "Mosaic and Turtle-Back" illuminated base

Acquired by Teddy and Arthur Edelman, circa 1950

Alastair Duncan, Tiffany at Auction, New York, 1981, p. 122 (for the base model)
Martin Eidelberg, Alice Cooney Frelinghuysen, Nancy A. McClelland and Lars Rachen, The Lamps of Louis Comfort Tiffany, New York, 2005, p. 199 (for the base model)
Alastair Duncan, Tiffany Lamps and Metalware, Woodbridge, Suffolk, 2007, pp. 72 (for the shade and base pairing) and 155 (for the shade and base models)
Martin Eidelberg, Nina Gray and Margaret K. Hofer, A New Light on Tiffany: Clara Driscoll and the Tiffany Girls, London, 2007, p. 70 (for the shade and base pairing)

Overall very good condition. When viewed in person, the shade displays a warm, intensely saturated palette of cherry red, bright magenta, and vibrant tangerine, which is contrasted by cool green, blue and turquoise hues of the leaves and stems. The shade is comprised of an artistic selection of mottled, striated and confetti glass. The shade with approximately 8 hairline cracks dispersed throughout, all stable. The shade with some light surface soiling throughout concentrated to the contours adjacent to the leadlines. The monumental, internally-illuminated “Turtle-Back” and mosaic tile base is in overall very good original condition. The bronze surfaces display a beautifully rich marbled patina and present with scattered extremely minor surface scratches, abrasions, and with some extremely minor traces of oxidation to the recessed contours consistent age and gentle handling. The bronze with a few occasional minute casting flaws inherent in the making and not visually detractive. The outermost edge of the base foot with a minute loss to the patina, only visible upon close inspection. The turtle-back tiles all appear to be original and undisturbed and present a strong emerald green when illuminated. When viewed with reflected light, the surfaces of the turtle-back tiles are intensely iridized and present a range of brilliant jewel-tone hues. All of the mosaic glass tiles set within the lower portion of the base standard and foot appear original and undisturbed, displaying a beautiful transition from deep cobalt blue to varying hues of green. The mosaic with some light surface soiling consistent with age. Some areas of the mosaic have possibly been rubbed in with some new putty. Four of the six sockets appear original and undisturbed; two interior socket mechanisms have been replaced but retain their original period socket casings. The internal socket appears original and undisturbed. With a period finial in very good condition. An exceptional lamp displaying a particularly impressive and harmonious shade and base pairing, superb scale, and visual impact.
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.

Tiffany’s line of floral leaded glass lamps show a marked preference for springtime blossoms: daffodils, peonies, wisterias, tulips, crocuses. Their bright, cheerful colors lend themselves beautifully to the passage of light through Tiffany’s exceptionally crafted favrile glass. The present “Nasturtium” lamp is exemplary of these cherished qualities. Characterized by a selection of vigorously mottled and striated glass, this shade is imbued with great vitality and dynamism, capturing the delicate nasturtium blossom at full bloom. Shades of soft coral, cherry red, and apricot orange and balanced by cool hues ranging from aqua to emerald green, showing the incredible artistry of Tiffany’s glass selectors. This lamp is further distinguished by the shade pairing with a rare “Mosaic and Turtle-Back” base. Its strong sculptural presence provides an exquisite complement to the exuberant and complex shade design. The wonderfully irregular surface of the iridized Turtle-Back tiles enhance the naturalism of the overall composition and present a rich blue green in perfect harmony with the shade. The lower portion of the base standard and foot are decorated with masterfully executed bands of mosaic favrile glass, transitioning from blue to green. The incredible detailing and  coloration make this lamp a masterwork within Tiffany’s oeuvre.