Cobweb Mosaic Lamp - Part 2

After completing the pattern work for the shade and pictorial mosaic for the base, we were able to begin construction on the 20" Cobweb shade. Studying original Tiffany Studios examples in books, on line, and in person, we came to realize that there were two basic color schemes used in the eight or nine examples that exist. The first style is to use a completely transparent, textured clear crackle glass for the background. The Cobweb Mosaic lamp was originally conceived as an oil lamp, so the transparent glass made sense. With the widespread advent of electricity, the clear crackle glass was too transparent, and other examples of this lamp were created using glass that, while still transparent, has the addition of filamented color in the webs. After discussion with our client, we decided upon a semi-transparent glass for the shade that would have lots of sparkle and color, but not be completely clear.

For the webs, we primarily used a glass that was created by the Uroborus Glass Foundry as "cobweb glass". The glass starts with a slightly milky clear base to which are added hints of light blue and fuchsia pink. The addition of strands of clear streamer add another layer of diffusion without making the glass opaque. This, in conjunction with other glasses, gave us the effect we were after. Bill transitioned the background/web color to a vibrant cerulean blue at the top of the shade for added impact.

Once the glass was cut and fit to the pattern, the pieces were foiled by hand and then transferred onto the waxed form.

This design has a complex series of metal tree branches that extend up into the shade, between which the spider's webs are strung. The gaps in the pattern allow for the branches to be incorporated into the design.

The exterior of the shade was then soldered. In the upper portion, the gnarled branches have been filled in. Removed from the form, the next step was to attach the undulating lower rim to the shade. The shade was then soldered on the inside, cleaned and a patinated.

 Next week: Finishing the base and completing the lamp.

Lamp of the Week: 16" Daffodil

Light and airy, the 16" Daffodil shade evokes springtime sunshine and gentle breezes. Commissioned in 2009 by a local client, the shade features fracture/streamer background glass and perky yellow flowers which are certain to enliven even the dullest rainy day. The shade is shown on the Lion's Foot base (base not currently available).

Century Studios is currently closed to in-studio visitors. Feel free to call during business hours or email us at info@centurystudios.com

Cobweb Mosaic Lamp - Part 1

While on a visit to Schlitz Studios to buy glass in the late 1980's, we noticed a large bronze casting and faceted lamp form for the 20" Cobweb Mosaic lamp sitting on a table in a corner of the studio. When questioned about the base, Jim Schlitz would only offer that it was not for sale.

The 20" Cobweb Mosaic lamp is one of Tiffany Studios most elaborate lamps, and it is a piece we have long wanted to recreate. Over the years we would occasionally speculate about the casting we saw, wondering if the lamp was ever completed. A year ago, we received a call from a client who purchased the casting and lamp form from Schlitz Studios when the company went out of business in the mid-90's. He was looking to have the lamp finally completed. This began a year long adventure to transform the basic materials into a completed lamp. This lamp has many unique challenges, so we devised a step by step method of construction, deciding in what order the various elements needed to be addressed.

The first step necessary to work on the lamp was to use the old masking tape covered Styrofoam shade form to create a new form. Once we had the form, Bill began the pattern work for the shade. Tiffany Studios created fewer than ten examples of this lamp, and each example differs from its predecessor in size, shape and pattern. These were truly created one at a time.

Studying photographs of original examples as well as viewing an original example at the New York Historical Society, Bill recreated the complex series of branches, spider webs, and apple blossom leaves and flowers on the shade.

 The next step was to create the patterns for the elaborate glass mosaic on the base. After working out all the details, the patterns were copied flat so glass cutting could begin.

 Next week: Creating the shade.

Lamp of the Week: 22" Wisteria

Tiffany Studios created Wisteria lamps in several sizes and shapes. One of the most versatile of these is the 22" Wisteria which can be a table lamp, chandelier, or floor lamp. Commissioned in 2002 by a Chicago area client, the cascading flowers in this shade have a variety of blue, purple, lavender, and white tones. The irregular lower edge gives the shade a naturalist look.  The shade is shown on the Perforated base (this base is currently not available).

Studio Hours

Century Studios remains open with regular business hours. Running an art studio is akin to working from home on a daily basis, as we spend the majority of our studio time working on projects on our own. Feel free to call the studio Tues - Fri 10 - 5:30, Sat 10 - 4:00 central time. As always, we are closed Sun & Mon.

Lamp of the Week: 9" Chain Mail Lantern

 One of the more unusual hanging fixtures designed by Tiffany Studios is the Chain Mail Lantern. The look of the fixture is equally Moorish, Medieval, and Modern. The lantern itself is 9" wide and has 8 rows of chain mail. The fixture is shown at 33" in length, and can be made longer with the addition of more chain. The minimum length of the fixture is 25". We can create Chain Mail with any color of glass.

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, the small metal loops that tie one square to the next are incorporated. As the squares are attached to one another, a "metal fabric" is created that forms the decorative curtain of the lantern.

The fixture shown is currently available for purchase from our showroom.

14" Dragonfly

We just completed this sunny 14" Dragonfly for a client in Massachusetts. Between the dragonflies, the shade is studded with cabochon jewels. The Mushroom base (16" tall) is a perfect complement to the shade.

Lamp of the Week: 20" Nasturtium

One of the more unusually shaped shades created by Tiffany Studios is the 20" Nasturtium. The low dome mimics how nasturtium plants will climb over rocks in the garden to create mounds of riotously colorful flowers peaking through large saucer shaped leaves. Nasturtium flowers and leaves are edible and have a sharp, peppery taste which adds a colorful zing to summer salads.

The 20" Nasturtium is a non repeating shade design. Leaves and flowers undulate across the surface of the shade naturally, clumping together in some places vying for attention. The shade lends itself to bold color choices, and we chose a vibrant color scheme of mottled, streaky and textured glasses tumbled together to create a riot of strong emotions.

Shown on the Twisted Vine base (24.5" tall), we created this lamp in 2018 as a showroom piece and it was purchased by a client in New York.

16" Snowball

The 16" Snowball shade takes its inspiration from the Snowball Viburnum plant.  The shade is covered in flower clusters and has an irregular lower edge, giving the piece a naturalistic look. For this shade, our client requested off white/cream colored flower clusters set against a strong blue sky.

Each flower head on the plant is composed of many small flowers so a variety of ring mottled and textured glasses were blended together to give the shade a natural look.

Created for a client in Canada, the shade was made to be used as a floor lamp on the Petit Floor Base (54" tall).  We are also showing the shade as a table lamp on the Grooved base (26" tall).