Clara Wolcott Driscoll (American, 1861 - 1944). <em>"Dragonfly" Lamp</em>, ca. 1900-1920. Glass, bronze, and lead, 18 1/4 x 14 x 14 in. (46.4 x 35.6 x 35.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Bequest of Laura L. Barnes, 67.120.54. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 67.120.54.jpg)

Clara Wolcott Driscoll (American, 1861 - 1944). "Dragonfly" Lamp, ca. 1900-1920. Glass, bronze, and lead, 18 1/4 x 14 x 14 in. (46.4 x 35.6 x 35.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Bequest of Laura L. Barnes, 67.120.54. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 67.120.54.jpg)

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Is it Tiffany?

You got it! You have found our Tiffany Dragonfly Lamp!

Tiffany employed a team of unmarried young women who worked in the glass departments, choosing which colors of glass to use. Recently it was discovered that some of them were also designers. This lamp is attributed to a woman named Clara Driscoll. A group of her letters were discovered just a few years ago! It was really exciting to learn that behind this famous male artist, there was a team of female designers that we can now credit.

It is fascinating that that she can get her credit now! Thank you so much for letting me know this! Wonderful experience!

Can you help me understand why Tiffany Lamps are such a big deal?

I would be happy to! Taste changes over time; when these lamps were first made in the 1890s, the popular style of the time was Art Nouveau. The Art Nouveau movement drew inspiration from nature, as can be seen the organic forms of the lamp.

When Art Nouveau fell out of fashion in the 1930s, Tiffany Studios went out of business. Not many years later, consumers were once again interested in the lamps, but since they were no longer being manufactured, the limited supply caused auction prices to skyrocket.

Ahhh, that helps me understand. The glass is a big deal, too, correct?

Yes! Tiffany Studios was one of the first operations to use chemistry to alter the color and texture of their glass. There have been many imitators but Tiffany was the original! Each Tiffany lamp is a unique work of art.

Cool - thanks!

"Dragonfly" Lamp

Decorative Arts

On View: Decorative Art, 20th-Century Decorative Arts, 4th Floor

This characteristic Tiffany "dragonfly"-design lampshade features predominantly amber and blue colors. The upper portion of the lampshade is veined; the lower portion is decorated with a band of dragonflies with outspread wings overlaid in pierced bronze encircling the perimeter.

DESIGNER Clara Wolcott Driscoll, American, 1861 - 1944

MAKER Tiffany Studios, 1902-1932

MEDIUM Glass, bronze, and lead

Place Manufactured: Corona, New York, United States

DATES ca. 1900-1920

DIMENSIONS 18 1/4 x 14 x 14 in. (46.4 x 35.6 x 35.6 cm) (show scale)

MARKINGS Stamped on underside of base: "TIFFANY STUDIOS / NEW YORK / 337"

SIGNATURE no signature

INSCRIPTIONS no inscriptions

COLLECTIONS Decorative Arts

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Decorative Art, 20th-Century Decorative Arts, 4th Floor

EXHIBITIONS

Design: 1880 to Now

ACCESSION NUMBER 67.120.54

CREDIT LINE Bequest of Laura L. Barnes

RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

You may download and use Brooklyn Museum images of this three-dimensional work in accordance with a Creative Commons license. Fair use, as understood under the United States Copyright Act, may also apply. Please include caption information from this page and credit the Brooklyn Museum. If you need a high resolution file, please fill out our online application form (charges apply). For further information about copyright, we recommend resources at the United States Library of Congress, Cornell University, Copyright and Cultural Institutions: Guidelines for U.S. Libraries, Archives, and Museums, and Copyright Watch. For more information about the Museum's rights project, including how rights types are assigned, please see our blog posts on copyright. If you have any information regarding this work and rights to it, please contact copyright@brooklynmuseum.org.

CAPTION Clara Wolcott Driscoll (American, 1861 - 1944). "Dragonfly" Lamp, ca. 1900-1920. Glass, bronze, and lead, 18 1/4 x 14 x 14 in. (46.4 x 35.6 x 35.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Bequest of Laura L. Barnes, 67.120.54. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 67.120.54.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 67.120.54.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

"CUR" at the beginning of an image file name means that the image was created by a curatorial staff member. These study images may be digital point-and-shoot photographs, when we don\'t yet have high-quality studio photography, or they may be scans of older negatives, slides, or photographic prints, providing historical documentation of the object.

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Table lamp in glass, lead, and bronze. "Dragonfly" design shade of predominantly amber and blue colors. Upper portion of shade is veined; lower portion decorated with band of dragonflies with outspread wings overlaid in pierced bronze encircling perimeter. Three light sockets on horizontally curving arms; vasiform shaft with vertical lobes; circular base with undulating ribbed surface. CONDITION: Excellent

RECORD COMPLETENESS