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!