Sunday, December 30, 2012

New Pieces from 2012

Throughout 2012, we introduced 13 new shade and/or base designs to our master list of reproduction Tiffany pieces. For more information on each of the pieces shown below, look at our blog entries from the month listed.

December - Scarab Lamp

 Chain Mail Hanging Lantern


Bamboo Senior Floor Base


16" Persian Shade


November - 22" Maple Leaf Shade


24 Light Lily Ceiling Fixture - Custom design (No blog posting)

September - 3 Light Lily Table Lamp - 2 Styles


August - Petit Floor Base


July - Decorated Trumpet Base


June - 20" Geometric Shade


Greek Urn Base


March - 28" Trumpet Vine Shade

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Scarab Lamp


We were able to sneak one more new reproduction Tiffany Studios lamp design into the showroom just before Christmas this year, the Scarab Lamp.

The Scarab Lamp is a petit accent light with a pressed glass shade in the shape of a beetle. This is a tricky little lamp to create, and much time and patience is required to get all the cast bronze parts lined up perfectly.

We created this delightful lamp as a showroom piece, but once completed it was quickly snapped up by a local client.

Monday, December 24, 2012

Happy Holidays from Century Studios!


 
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Century Studios is closed from December 24 through January 1

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Last Day to Shop

 

Century Studios will be open today from Noon to 4:00pm

We will be closed Monday December 24
through Tuesday January 1

We will resume regular business hours
on Wednesday January 2

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Holiday Hours - Final Countdown


The end of Century Studios Holiday Hours is near...
...and no, we are not referring to the Mayan Calendar!

Thursday December 20  10:00 - 6:00
Friday December 21  10:00 - 6:00
Saturday December 22  10:00 - 4:00
Sunday December 23  Noon - 4:00

Century Studios will be CLOSED
Monday December 24 through Tuesday January 1

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Chain Mail Lantern

Here is a brand new offering from Century Studios, a Chain Mail Lantern.

Inspired by the success of the chain mail on the 16" Persian shade, we created this wonderful fixture. Tiffany Studios used chain mail on many different fixtures, lamp shades and wall sconces, and we can understand why. Chain mail gives a fixture a totally unique look that is light and airy, colorful, has movement and is three dimensional. You can look through the woven apron of glass and metal.

The lantern itself is 6" wide by 12" tall (from the top of loop to bottom of chain mail). We have made this fixture to be 33" total length, and that dimension is adjustable. Intended as a ceiling light, this fixture can also be used as a wall sconce. This fixture is available for purchase in our showroom.

Saturday, December 15, 2012

One More Week!



Century Studios
Holiday Hours

Saturday Dec 15  10 - 4
Sunday Dec 16  12 - 4
Monday Dec 17  Closed
Tuesday Dec 18 through Friday Dec 21  10 - 6
Saturday Dec 22  10 - 4
Sunday Dec 23  12 - 4

December 24 through January 1  CLOSED

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

16" Persian Shade


This week, we add another Tiffany Studios reproduction shade design to our catalog - the 16" Persian shade. Commissioned by a Southern client, the Persian has an exotic feel, with a geometric background showcasing a band of arabesques, which is playful yet elegant. As elegant as this shade is, the lamp we created was taken a step further by the addition of rows of Chain Mail.



Chain Mail was a unique feature on many Tiffany lamps and fixtures. At Century Studios, we have recreated this signature look, and chain mail can be added to any shade with a level lower edge. Tiffany lamps will have as many as eight horizontal rows of chain mail - the addition of the rows of chain mail not only add depth to the shade but they provide a unique period look.


Each individual piece of chain mail is created by hand, in a technique that Irwin refers to as "weaving with glass and metal". Starting with a small copper framework, which we had made to Tiffany's original specifications, a piece of hand cut glass is encased within the square. During the process, small loops are incorporated into each square and used to connect one square to the next as the glass is being encased by hand. A border like the one on the Persian shade will take several days of painstaking work to create.

In both photographs (with and without the chain mail) the shade is pictured on the Decorated Library base.

Monday, December 3, 2012

24" Snowball


New to our showroom is this 24" Snowball shade.

Often mistakenly referred to as a Hydrangea design - Hydrangea flowers are conical (see photo to the left) while Snowball flowers are round (see photo below) - Snowball bushes can reach heights and widths of 8 to 20 feet. Since flowers on Tiffany Lamps were rendered life sized, this large flowering bush makes a perfect subject for the generous proportions of a 24" shade.

The irregular lower edge gives this design the natural feel of a large specimen with branches bent by flower clusters in full bloom. Our 24" Snowball shade features a variety of glasses in a blended color scheme. The textured glass used in the sky is a blue/purple sky glass created by Lins (they have been out of business since the late 90"s and their glass is highly prized amongst stained glass artists). Set against this stunning backdrop are flower clusters rendered in a variety of off whites, greens, and amber tones. The abundant foliage has greens tinged with purple, yellow, red or amber, giving the an overall Impressionistic coloration which becomes more vibrant as you move closer to the shade.


The 24" Snowball is the deepest Tiffany Studios shade design. Occasionally, this shade is pictured on a large table lamp base, but Snowball works best on one of the Senior Floor bases or as a chandelier fixture.  This spectacular shade is currently available in our showroom and is on display on our new Bamboo Senior Floor Base. The combination of shade and base blend harmoniously into a work of art


Saturday, December 1, 2012

Bamboo Sr. Floor Base

Century Studios is pleased to introduce a new reproduction Tiffany Studios lamp base to our offerings, the Bamboo Senior Floor Base.

Made in our studio using molds taken from an original Tiffany example, our new floor base is cast in bronze using the lost wax casting method. This casting technique captures the finest details. Eight different casting molds are needed to create the individual parts which range in size from pieces that fit into the palm of your hand to the highly detailed 4' long stem.


Standing on six decorative feet, the large open ring at the bottom provides a sturdy platform for the realistic bamboo, which splays out as a three dimensional openwork cage. Gathering into a realistically detailed stem which moves upwards, the base is topped with a three pronged split tripod to support the shade. The base has six lights.

The Bamboo Senior Floor base is 66" tall to the top of the shade, and supports any of the largest shades we offer, but looks best with 24" to 26" shades. The example shown is currently available in our showroom.

Century Studios
Holiday Hours
November 23
through
December 23

Tuesday - Friday 10:00 - 6:00
Saturday 10:00 - 4:00
Sunday 12 noon - 4:00
Closed Monday

Monday, November 26, 2012

Wally Birds


Just in time for the Holiday Season, a new flock of Wally Birds has come to roost at Century Studios. These wonderful creatures are hand made, salt glazed stoneware jars which have been fired in a wood-fueled kiln. Our limited selection reflects the time and effort put into each piece, and every bird is a one of a kind creation with a distinct personality!

Our newest birds include:

The Dodo - This rare specimen of a long extinct, flightless breed of birds had to waddle into the studio on his two study legs. He hopped up onto the counter and demanded to be the center of attention!






Merry Bird -  A happy go lucky gent with a buoyant charm, this bird exhibits a joie de vivre that is infectious!









Cunning Crow - Black as night and twice as mischievous, this is the first pitch black feathered bird to arrive at the studio. Is he really a Raven waiting to utter, Nevermore"? You will have to judge for yourself...






Frog Jar - Not a bird, but still a jar, this friendly frog hopped along for the ride. The shiny glaze on this jolly fellow gives him the look of just climbing out of a pond and sunning himself on a nearby lily pad.





The following birds are also available in our showroom:

Quincy - Named Quincy for his strong resemblance to the 4th President of the United States, this is the original Early Bird who caught the worm - which is why he has a grin on his face.






Wiley Bird - An evil grin, a sharp beak and a crafty look says this bird has more than birdseed on his mind.








Worried Bird - Unsure where his next worm or crust of bread is coming from, this dyspeptic fellow has an intense expression with dark rimmed pop eyes.








Shy Bird - This little fellow has reluctantly left the nest and is looking for a quiet, retiring perch to call his own.









Century Studios
Holiday Hours
November 23
through
December 23

Tuesday - Friday 10:00 - 6:00
Saturday 10:00 - 4:00
Sunday 12 noon - 4:00
Closed Monday

Friday, November 23, 2012

Ornament Sale


All Christmas Ornaments ON SALE 50% OFF
Stop in to Century Studios to see our large selection of traditional Christmas Ornaments, all on sale now!

Century Studios
Holiday Hours
Now Through
December 23

Tuesday - Friday 10:00 - 6:00
Saturday 10:00 - 4:00
Sunday 12 noon - 4:00
Closed Monday

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Magnolia Window


Completed and delivered in time for the start of the Holiday Season is this Magnolia Window. Commissioned by a Southern client, this 66" long transom window is situated over the front doors of their home. The window features Magnolia trees in full bloom against a colorful sky. The flowers for this piece were rendered in Drapery Glass, a thick hand-folded glass that perfectly mimics the large fleshy petals of a Magnolia flower.

Century Studios recently had its youngest client make a purchase. This past summer, a seven year old boy came to the studio with his mother and fell in love with a piece of Lundberg blown glass. Doing extra chores to raise the money, the young gentleman returned to purchase a stunning blue lustre vase.

Century Studios
Holiday Hours
Now Through
December 23

Tuesday - Friday 10:00 - 6:00
Saturday 10:00 - 4:00
Sunday 12 noon - 4:00
Closed Monday

Century Studios will be closed
Thanksgiving Day
December 24 - Jan 1

Monday, November 19, 2012

Holiday Hours


Century Studios
Holiday Hours
November 23
through
December 23

Tuesday - Friday 10:00 - 6:00
Saturday 10:00 - 4:00
Sunday 12 noon - 4:00
Closed Monday

Century Studios will be closed
Thanksgiving Day
December 24 - Jan 1

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Lamps in Pairs

Over the years we have been commissioned to create matching pairs of lamps for clients. Most of our clients use matching pairs of table lamps on either side of a bed. Generally, clients tend to prefer geometric shades instead of florals for matching pairs, but we have created a pair of 16" Poppy shades to hang over an in-home bar. The largest matching pair of lamps we have been commissioned to create were two 26" Turtleback chandeliers which were hung over a pool table by a local client.

Our most recent pair of shades has been a set of 14" Acorn shades (See photo at top of post). Created for a client in Washington state, these shades have golden geometric backgrounds and bands with hints of green, amber and deep amber.

Another recent pair of geometric 16" Pomegranate shades was commissioned by a couple in North Carolina. Shown on matching Small Stick bases, these lamps will be used as mood/reading lamps on either side of their bed. The deep amber background sets off the red pomegranates in the borders of the shades.

We have probably created more pairs of 10" Acorn shades than any other design. One of the more dramatic pairings was a set of red Acorn shades created for a local client in 2008. The shades were used on matching Queen Anne's Lace bases, which were also made at our studio.


Not all pairs of lamps go on two bases. These 10" Acorn shades were made for an original Tiffany Studios Double Student Lamp Base.


We currently have a matching pair of 10" Acorn shades on display in our showroom. This pair is displayed on matching Doric Column Torchiere bases. Created in our studio, these reproduction Tiffany Studios bronze bases would work well on a mantle or sideboard. This pair of lamps is currently available for purchase in our showroom individually or as a set.

Monday, November 5, 2012

22" Maple Leaf


This week, we are pleased to introduce a new shade pattern to our offerings, the 22" Maple Leaf. This is a Century Studios' original lamp design. Inspired by the colors of the season, the 22" Maple Leaf is a shade that captures the glory of Autumn.



Bill had been thinking of creating a lamp incorporating Maple leaves for quite a while and we were discussing which shape would work best for the design. Using the Tiffany Studios' rule that floral shades should render the subject life size, the subject required one of our larger shade forms. When we received a request from a client for a 22" Fall-colored shade which they could use as a large table lamp, Bill decided that the 22" turban shape would be perfect.

Designing a new lamp design can be tricky because the design needs to look natural from many angles. We studied the leaves from a Maple tree in our yard for inspiration and Bill spent a lot of time working out the number and size of leaves to be included, along with the angle of the branches. He wanted the design to have movement, but not look like the tree was caught in a tornado! Once the design was finalized and Bill completed the patterns, Irwin took over the layout of this shade.

Our tree produces leaves of all sizes in brilliant hues of yellows, reds and oranges, and Irwin wanted to celebrate the vibrant colors while still creating subtle color variations. The goal was to create a blended color scheme but to still have the leaves individually discernible on the completed shade.

Once the glass selection was complete and all the pieces were cut and fit to the pattern, each piece of glass was wrapped in copper foil, transferred onto the form, and the shade was soldered together. In the photo to the right, Irwin is just completing soldering the inside of the shade and will be attaching the bottom rim as the final step before the cleaning and patina work can be done.

The finished shade, shown at the top of the posting on the Twisted Vine base, has been shipped to its new home in the Midwest.