Tiffany Studios

with a rare mosaic glass "Dragonfly" base

Oscar G. Mayer, Sr. (1888-1965), Chairman and President of the Oscar Mayer Company, Chicago, Illinois, acquired circa 1905
By descent to daughter and son-in-law, Elinor Mayer and Emil Demme, Chicago, Illinois
Thence by descent to the present owner

William Feldstein, Jr. and Alastair Duncan, The Lamps of Tiffany Studios, New York, 1983, p. 171
Martin Eidelberg, Alice Cooney Frelinghuysen, Nancy A. McClelland and Lars Rachen, The Lamps of Louis Comfort Tiffany, New York, 2005, p. 194
Alastair Duncan, Tiffany Lamps and Metalware, Woodbridge, Suffolk, 2007, p. 72 nos. 276-277
Martin Eidelberg, Nina Gray and Margaret K. Hofer, A New Light on Tiffany: Clara Driscoll and the Tiffany Girls, exh. cat., New York Historical Society, New York, 2007, p. 67

Overall 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. When viewed in person the shade displays a wonderful aquatic palette with stronger violet accents compared to the catalogue illustration and with a very nice selection of mottled and semi-transparent glass. The shade with approximately 10 cracks to the glass tiles dispersed throughout which have been sensitively stabilized by a professional Tiffany conservator. Two background tiles in the upper register above the dragonfly tails have been sensitively replaced with period Tiffany glass that is entirely harmonious in color and texture with the rest of the shade. The shade with some extremely light surface soiling to the adjacent contours of the shade leading and beneath the dragonfly wing overlays. The mosaic “Dragonfly” base in overall very good condition. The base standard and foot is inset with iridized and decorated mosaic favrile glass. The inset glass is beautifully iridized and displays a superb range of color and luminosity. There is one small localized section (measuring approximately 1 inch long) at the midpoint of the standard where a few select glass tiles have been sensitively replaced by a professional conservator with very well matched period Tiffany favrile glass. The inset tiles are otherwise in very good condition with only some occasional very minor fleabite flecks to the tiles consistent with age and gentle handling. The base with traces of surface soiling and residue along the recessed contours of the decorative bronze work and outer contours of the inset glass registers. The bronze presents with a rich russet brown patina with some occasional minor surface scratches and abrasions. All of the sockets, paddle switches and finial appear original and undisturbed. The base plate on the underside of the base has been affixed to the base (presumably when the lamp was re-wired in a previous generation). The base plate is original to the lamp, and has a few small old puncture marks. This lamp has recently been professionally re-wired with an American plug. A superb example of this iconic model displaying one of the most desirable and harmonious shade and base pairings by Tiffany. The shade and base with a highly complementary and artistic glass selection and color palette.
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.