Sunday, July 28, 2013

16" Geometric on Small Stick Base


This boldly colored 16" Geometric shade was commissioned by a client in Massachusetts. Geometric shades are usually made in subtle tones, but the saturated color palette works extremely well on this shade. The shade is shown on the versatile Small Stick base.

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Century Studios Closed

Century Studios
will be closed

Thursday July 25
through
Monday July 29

We will resume regular
business hours on
Tuesday July 30

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Lamp of the Week: 28" Grape Cone


Grapes were a popular motif in Tiffany windows and lamps. This shade is an variation on the large 28" Grape chandelier cones which usually feature a trellis in the design. The non-repeating pattern and bold coloration give the shade interest from every side. Created in 2002 as a showroom piece, this shade was purchased by a client in Iowa.

Sunday, July 21, 2013

22" Geometric Turban with Chain Mail

The 22" Geometric shade can be used as a chandelier, floor, or table lamp. The simple geometry of the lead lines provides a symmetrical framework which is calming and shows the glass to great advantage. The deep honey amber/orange glass is a perfect fit for a large geometric shade. The warm color is inviting and comfortable.

Commissioned by an Illinois client, this large shade was created to be used on an antique lamp base from their collection. The exotic pierced base gives the lamp a feeling of East Indian or Moorish origins. If the shade were put onto the simple Large Stick base, this lamp would be equally at home in a contemporary or bungalow style interior.


The addition of three rows of Chain Mail accentuates the Far East appearance of this lamp. Our reproduction Tiffany Studios Chain Mail is hand made in our studio. The labor intensive process takes time and patience- on the right, Irwin is seen completing the final attachment of the Chain Mail to the shade. Chain Mail was often used by Tiffany Studios on chandelier fixtures to extend the depth of the shade and help disguise the light cluster. It is a unique Tiffany look that we are pleased to make available.

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Window of the Week: Ophelia


Commissioned by a local client in 2004, the Ophelia window was inspired by an 1851 painting by John Everett Millais. The scene depicted is from Shakespeare's Hamlet where Ophelia, driven out of her mind because her father is murdered by Hamlet, drowns herself in a stream.

The rich coloration and fine details were achieved using multiple techniques. The window was created in two plated layers, giving the glass an intensity and brilliance. Fine detailing in the foliage is contrasted with the open flowing water where Ophelia is half submerged. The hands and face of the figure are hand painted and kiln fired.

Monday, July 15, 2013

18" Poinsettia & 16" Acorn


We were commissioned by a client in Michigan to create an 18" Poinsettia shade in deep blues, reds and greens. The pattern features lattice in the upper half and poinsettias in full bloom on the lower half. The deep midnight blue connects the two elements and provides a backdrop for the lush reds and greens. We are showing this lamp on our Budding Gourd Pottery base, but the clients installed the shade as a chandelier fixture in their home. 

Upon receiving and installing the shade, the client sent the following note, "Gentlemen...congratulations on an art work brilliantly executed.  This will become a family heirloom.  I enjoy it from every angle and observe its performance through the day with the bulb turned off but with various levels of daylight coming through.  It was a pleasure to work with you. 

We also recently completed a 16" Acorn shade for our showroom. The shade was made from a beautiful green/amber glass in which the colors blended together perfectly to create a lively shade with subtle color shifts. In our showroom for less than one week, the shade was purchased by a client from North Carolina.

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Lamp of the Week: 16" Geranium on Greek Urn Base

Summer always makes me think of masses of Geraniums in pots on my grandparents front porch - and the one year my grandfather accidentally watered them all with bleach - they kept the rainwater they collected in old bleach bottles.



This 16" Geranium shade was created as a showroom piece in 2012 and is now in a private collection. The shade has a smokey blue background which sets off the multi-colored leaves and red flowers. The shade is shown on the elegant Greek Urn base which was created at our studio.

Sunday, July 7, 2013

14" Tulip


Just completed and gracing our showroom is this 14" Tulip shade. The colorful shade has a happy, carefree appearance with multicolored tulips against a cheerful blue background. The flower colors change from every angle, giving this small shade a delightful personality. With its varying flowers and lively greens and blues, this shade provides a lovely color accent.

The 14" Tulip is shown on the Mushroom base. This highly detailed Tiffany base has three lights and works with any 12" or 14" shade design.

This lamp is currently in our showroom and available for purchase


Thursday, July 4, 2013

Lamp of the Week: 25" Lotus on Mandarin Lotus Base


Inspired by the saucer-like leaves of the lotus plant which can be as large as two feet in diameter, the 25" Lotus shade is unique amongst Tiffany shade designs. The pleated surface undulates along the veins of the leaves, creating a three dimensional effect. Each vein is accentuated with hand applied wire work that follows the ribbing to the irregular lower edge. The slender Mandarin Lotus base is 29" tall, which gives a unique visual profile to the lamp. Examples of this shade appear in several Frank Lloyd Wright homes. The lamp pictured was created for a Chicago area client.