拍品 326
  • 326

TIFFANY STUDIOS | An Important "Wisteria" Table Lamp

估價
600,000 - 800,000 USD
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描述

  • Tiffany Studios
  • An Important "Wisteria" Table Lamp
  • shade with small early tag impressed TIFFANY STUDIOS/NEW YORKunderside of shade mounting post impressed 10116top of base column impressed 10116base plate impressed TIFFANY STUDIOS/NEW YORK/10116 and 1underside of perimeter base cushion impressed 10116 and 1
  • leaded glass, patinated bronze
  • 27 1/4  in. (69.2 cm) diameter18 1/2  in. (47 cm) diameter of shade
  • circa 1905
with a "Tree" base

來源

The Collection of Baron Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid, circa 1975
Thence by descent
Sotheby's New York, December 18, 2013, lot 330
Acquired from the above by the present owner

出版

Robert Koch, Louis C. Tiffany: Rebel in Glass, New York, 1964, pl. v
Dr. Egon Neustadt, The Lamps of Tiffany, New York, 1970, p. 215
Alastair Duncan, Tiffany At Auction, New York, 1981, pp. 89 and 148
William Feldstein, Jr. and Alastair Duncan, The Lamps of Tiffany Studios, New York, 1983, pp. 36-37
Alastair Duncan, Fin de Siècle Masterpieces from the Silverman Collection, New York, 1989, p. 40
Vivienne Couldrey, The Art of Louis Comfort Tiffany, Secaucus, NJ, 1997, p. 136
Robert Koch, Louis C Tiffany's Glass, Bronzes, Lamps: A Complete Collector's Guide, New York, 1989, p. 131
Alastair Duncan, Louis C. Tiffany: The Garden Museum Collection, Woodbridge, Suffolk, 2004, pp. 292-293
Martin Eidelberg, Alice Cooney Frelinghuysen, Nancy A. McClelland and Lars Rachen, The Lamps of Louis Comfort Tiffany, New York, 2005, pp. 106-107 
Alastair Duncan, Tiffany Lamps and Metalware, Woodbridge, Suffolk, 2007, p. 67
Martin Eidelberg, Nina Gray and Margaret K. Hofer, A New Light on Tiffany: Clara Driscoll and the Tiffany Girls, London, 2007, p. 48
Timeless Beauty, The Art of Louis Comfort Tiffany, The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, Atglen, PA, 2016, p. 119
Margaret K. Hofer and Rebecca Klassen, The Lamps of Tiffany Studios: Nature Illuminated, New York, 2016, pp. 86-87

Condition

Overall in very good condition. The shade and base are both impressed with the firm's production number, 10116, reinforcing that both components originated together from the time of manufacture. The shade with approximately 10 hairline cracks 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 monumental shade. All of these hairline cracks appear stable. The shade with surface soiling to the recessed folds of the glass and to the contours adjacent to the leadlines. As is commonly seen with the "Wisteria" model, a few of the lower panicles along the bottom irregular border are very subtly bent inward. These elements all appear stable. The top bronze armature of the shade and lower branching is finely cast and displays an exceptionally rich green and russet brown patina. With some gentle rubbing to the high points of the top reticulated shade armature and some light surface soiling and minor oxidation to the recessed contours. The bronze branching incorporated throughout the top register of the shade is highly sculptural and tactile, and adds great visual interest and dimensionality to the lamp. The "Tree" base displays an exceptionally rich and satisfying green patina with russet brown highlights. The base also displays exceptional quality to the casting, and the branching on the lower cushion is particularly sculptural and well defined. The patinated surfaces of the base with some occasional light surface scratches, abrasions and gentle rubbing, and with some light surface soiling to the recessed contours of the branching consistent with age and gentle use. The base retains its original bronze decorative switch, which is fully functional as a two-way switch. All four electrical sockets appear to be original and undisturbed. The lamp displays beautifully in person with strong visual presence. The glass selection is highly artistic and thoughtful, displaying a heavily saturated and well-varied color palette. The wisteria blossoms are articulated in a full range of deep cobalt blues hues, and the lower panicles are selectively accented with a rich jewel-toned aqua. The glass selection is overall more nuanced and variegated compared to the printed catalogue illustration, with slightly stronger blue tones throughout. The thoughtful glass selection effectively evokes the feeling of dripping Wisteria blossoms, and the composition is lyrical and full of movement. An outstanding example of this iconic model.
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.

拍品資料及來源

Designed in 1901 by Clara Driscoll, the Wisteria lamp quickly became one of the most successful models produced by Tiffany Studios.  Within five years of its introduction, the price for a Wisteria lamp was listed at $400.00, making it one of the most expensive lamps in Tiffany’s line.  As revered as this luxury item was in the period, the Wisteria lamp is now widely recognized as an icon of American design and one of Tiffany Studios’ greatest accomplishments in leaded glass.  Its complex pattern is comprised of nearly 2,000 individually cut and selected glass tiles.  As a result, each Wisteria lamp possesses its own distinct character and color palette, despite being a standardized model.  This particular example presents an exquisite range of deep cobalt blue glass, and the lower panicles are selectively accented in rich jewel-toned aqua.  The overall effect achieved by the glass selection is lyrical and full of movement, capturing the lushness of the wisteria vine in bloom.

Both the shade and base of the present example are impressed 10116, underscoring that these elements originated together from the time of their production at Tiffany Studios over 100 years ago.  The fully saturated and artistic glass selection of the present example distinguishes it as one of the finest examples ever to appear on the auction market.