Lamp of the Week: 10" Azalea

The 10" Azalea is a small shade with a large personality. The design is segmented into sections by border rows, yet these can barely contain the exuberant foliage and flowers that fill the shade. The flowers are a lusty deep red while the leaves have a variety of mixed green tones. Blue sky peeks through the plant life while the grey/blue borders add a unifying tone to the shade. The shade is shown on the Ruffle base (17" total lamp height). This lamp was created in 2019 and is in a private collection.

18 Light Table Lily Lamp

A milestone in the history of lighting design, Louis Comfort Tiffany introduced lily table lamps in the 1890's and showed the world what could be created with an electric light bulb and some imagination. This lamp is inspired by a cluster of water lilies, with the lustre glass flowers nodding gently above bronze lily pads and buds. Even the light bulb was incorporated into the design, forming the stamen of each blossom.

At Century Studios, our reproduction Lily Lamps are created using molds taken off an original Tiffany Studios example. The illuminated sculpture begins with a cluster of heavy cast bronze lily pads from which the flowers ascend. The metalwork is finished with an authentic verdigris patina and each stem supports a blown glass flower that emits a warm golden glow. We have just completed this 18 Light Lily Table Lamp for a client in California.

Lamp of the Week: 22" Turtleback Turban

This 22" Turtleback Turban has a deep, brooding personality. The heavily mottled, richly colored red & green glass of the upper and lower geometric portions of the shade are the perfect backdrop for the band of black cherry colored turtlebacks. This distinctive shade is shown on the popular Perforated base (26" tall, telescopes taller). The addition of the corkscrew "pigtail" cap adds the finishing touch to this large table lamp. This lamp was created in 2018 and is in a private local collection.

20" Jonquil Daffodil

Springtime daffodils were Louis Comfort Tiffany's favorite flowers and he had banks of these sunny flowers lining the drive to his Long Island, New York estate. The 20" Jonquil Daffodil combines two varieties of daffodil on one design. Set against a blue sky and surrounded by it distinctive green foliage, tall yellow daffodil trumpets overlook the shorter Narcissus on the lower half of the shade.

The shade has a generously proportioned dome shape that provides the perfect canvas for the rhythmic positioning of the blooms.

Horizontal border rows give the design stability and keep the exuberant flowers in check. The shade is shown on the elegant Library base (23" tall). This lamp is now in a private home in Nevada.

Lamp of the Week: 24" Border Peony

The 24" Border Peony combines a geometric background with a wide floral border on the lower half of the shade. Exuberant flowers burst forth in profusion, showing off their brilliant petals and dense foliage. The rich amber tones of the shade provide a warm backdrop for the pink & red flowers. The leaves are tinged with both the flower and background colors, giving the shade a balanced feel. The generous proportions of the shade make it a perfect choice for use as a floor lamp or large hanging fixture. This shade was created in 2014 and is in a private collection.

15" Spider

While we do not do lamp repairs, we will fix shades from our studio if something happens to them. This past week a local client brought in one of our lamps which was in need of minor repairs after a run in with a particularly destructive cat. The client had acquired the lamp a number of years ago in a local antiques shop. We were pleasantly surprised to see that, according to our shade numbering system which is part of our signature process, this lamp dated from 1989 and was the first 15" Spider we created. Even more surprising is the fact that we still had a small fragment sized piece of the same Oceana glass we used to make the shade AND that Bill Campbell located the piece in a matter of minutes. 

In 1989 we acquired the mold for the shade, the bronze spider legs, and the spider cap from Studio Disselhoff in Los Angeles. Throughout the 90's we would continue to source spider crowns and caps (and many lamp bases) until 1999 when Willy Disselhoff retired and we bought out the studio. We now cast our own spider legs and caps. This past week we received a phone call from a retired glassmaker who informed us that Willy Disselhoff had passed away on October 17, 2023 at the age of 95.

Lamp of the Week: 20" Daffodil

 

One of Tiffany Studio's more popular floral shade designs is the 20" Daffodil. This is one of the few shade patterns where the flowers are inverted, rather than "growing" from the bottom of the shade. Having the flowers are clustered at the lower edge of the shade, the 20" Daffodil makes a wonderful chandelier fixture.

This colorful shade has flowers that range from light buttery yellow to rich amber. The mixed greens of the long leaves are echoed in the border rows. For the background pieces, a sparkling cerulean blue mixed with yellow imparts a lively touch to the shade. The shade is shown on the Grooved base (26" tall). This lamp was created in 2019 and is now in a private home in Massachusetts.

Studio Hours

 

Century Studios will be closed

Thursday March 28 through Monday April 1. We will resume regular business hours on Tuesday April 2.

 

Bases from the Foundry

At Century Studios we create both stained glass shades and bronze lamp bases. We purchased our core library of molds for metalwork from Studio Disselhoff in 1999 when owner Willy Disselhoff retired.  Since that time we have added many pieces to our repertoire and we currently offer over 65 base options. Rumors have arisen that we have acquired the inventory of molds and parts from the recently closed Odyssey and Paul Crist Studios, but this is not the case.

We create waxes at our studio and use a local foundry to pour our bases in bronze. Foundry wax is a deep chocolate brown and the wax for a Cerreus base is shown above. Depending on the quantity and complexity of the bases we are making, the waxes can take up to a week to make for a foundry trip.

This past Monday was a foundry day, and we dropped off new waxes and picked up castings for upcoming projects. The photo at the top shows the pieces waiting for us at the foundry. Preparing the castings for patina, finishing and assembling also includes making light clusters for each base.

Each individual component part for a base is patinated and waxed by hand before the final assembly and wiring.

Century Studios sells bases individually. We have a changing selection of lamp bases made up for purchase from our studio showroom and bases can be made to order. 

STUDIO HOURS

Century Studios will be CLOSED Thursday March 28th through Monday April 1st.

 

Lamp of the Week: 18" Turtleback

Turtleback lamps can be created in many colors, shapes, and sizes. This 18" Turtleback shade features lively green/blue/white background of ripple glass. The texture of the glass faces the inside of the shade, giving the outside an even, smooth surface. When illuminated, the shade undergoes a visual transformation, becoming a highly textured lamp. Shown on the Twisted Vine base (25.5" tall), this lamp was commissioned by a Midwest client in 2015.

18" Nasturtium

Trailing over rocks or bursting forth from planters, nasturtiums add a sense of whimsy to any garden. The 18" Nasturtium shade's turban shape playfully mimics how the plant tumbles with wild abandon across flower beds. 

Nasturtiums come in many colors and Bill Campbell skillfully blended a vibrant mix of glass for this shade, emphasizing both color and texture. The red, yellow, pink and orange flowers peek out between green foliage as the border rows in green ripple glass attempt and hold the plants in check.

Shown on the elegant Library base (22.5" tall), this shade is now in a private collection in Colorado.
 

Lamp of the Week: 18" Geometric Moorish

The 18" Geometric Moorish shade has a unique onion dome profile. A decorative band divides the upper and lower half of the shade. The solid green at the top of the shade subtly fades into golden amber above the decorative border giving way to warm amber on the lower portion of the piece. To ground the design, the two border rows at the bottom have an arch motif.

An overhead view of the shade shows the subtle interplay of colors. Six different closely related glasses were skillfully blended to created this shade. This shade, created in 2021 and now in a private collection in Texas, is mated with the Grooved base. The tall slender base perfectly compliments the exotic shape of the shade.

 

18" Nasturtuim and 24" Snowball Continued

Work on the 18" Nasturtium which progressed to the soldering stage late this past week. Here is a detail shot from inside the shade while it was being soldered. 

Irwin Terry completed the layout on the 24" Snowball shade this week. 

The 24" Snowball provides the glass artist with a large canvas on which to showcase exceptional glass in an Impressionist style. Irwin wanted the overall look of the shade to be an inviting green tone and blended together a wide variety of specialty glasses in the layout.

The glass selection complete, the three sections of the shade are shown on our light tables.

Lamp of the Week: 16" Apple Blossom

The 16" Apple Blossom is an elegant design with a strong Asian influence. Tree branches move diagonally across the shade bearing leaves and flowers. The dramatically blended amber & green glass chosen for the body of the shade provides a lush backdrop for the delicate pink-tinged flower petals. The shade is shown on the Small Stick base (20" tall). This shade was created in 2018 and is now in a local collection.

Works In Progress

It has been a busy week at Century Studios with Bill Campbell and Irwin Terry each working on separate lamp projects. 

Bill has been creating a colorful 18" Nasturtium shade, which has now progressed to the foiling stage.

Once Bill's project was laid out and the light tables were available, Irwin began the layout for a large 24" Snowball shade. As both shades continue to move forward in the coming week we will begin the preliminary stages for the lamp project that will follow these pieces.

Lamp of the Week: 16" Acorn

With its elegant simplicity, the 16" Acorn is a shade that is at home in any interior as a focal point or accent lamp. Tiffany Studios originally referred to this shade design as a Vine Leaf, but this pattern has come to be known as Acorn. A mottled celadon green glass was selected for the body of the shade. To contrast the background the acorns/leaves are done in a light pink & white glass. The shade is shown on the distinctive Turtleback Band base (21" tall). Supported by a three armed crutch, the body of the base has a band of turtleback tiles that are illuminated by a light within the base. This lamp was created in 2020 and is now in a private collection.

16" Dogwood

 

With its fresh color palette, this 16" Dogwood has the uplifting feel of a spring morning. The shade is shown on the classic Greek Urn base.

Color, density, and texture are all carefully considered when selecting glass for a shade. To keep the overall look of the shade light and airy Bill Campbell chose a semi transparent amber glass streaked with wisps of green and pink to play against the mottled flower and leaves.

A special feature of this piece is the three dimensional leaded branches that weave across the surface of the shade. Irwin Terry is shown soldering the branches.

On the completed shade the three dimensional leaded branches give the finished shade added visual and tactile interest. This piece is in a private home in Minnesota.

Lamp of the Week: 18" Calamondin Orange

The 18" Calamondin Orange Tree is a Century Studios original shade design. Calamondin Orange plants blossom and bear fruit simultaneously, lending inspiration for this colorful shade. With just under 2050 individual pieces, the pattern features a wealth of detail and is the most elaborate shade design we offer. Sprightly white blossoms and ripe fruit intermingle with lush green foliage against a golden background tinged with blue and green. Mounted on the sturdy Tree Trunk base, the shade begins with its crown of cast bronze intertwining branches at the top, the shade cascades downward to its irregular lower edge. Designed and created in 2014, this lamp resides in a private collection in Chicago.

16" Geometric with Squares

Tiffany Studios designed a variety of geometric shades that feel at home in any decor. These elegantly simple designs emphasize the glass selected for the shade. For this 16" Geometric with Band of Squares we chose a light butter yellow glass with a soft mottle for the main body of the shade. The accent rows at the bottom of the shade consist of two pale green horizontal rows and a decorative band of squares in wispy blue mixed with pale yellow. The shade is shown on the Small Stick base (20" tall). This shade is in a private home in Massachusetts.

 

Lamp of the Week: 22" Peony

Known in Eastern cultures as "the flower of riches and honor", the peony is a favorite Tiffany floral motif which appears on a variety of lamp shades. With its large, showy blooms, the peony has over 40 varieties whose flowers vary from a single row of petals to deeply ruffled blossoms. Peony flowers come in a variety of colors, giving the lamp artist free reign to showcase spectacular flower glass in red, yellow, pink or white. This richly toned 22" Peony shade was created in 2011 and is now in a local collection. The rich amber background gives a backdrop of sunny warmth to the multitude of flowers that cover the shade. The shade is shown on the highly detailed Twisted Vine base (25.5" tall).

16" Turtleback

A classic Tiffany Studios design, the 16" Turtleback shade features a decorative band of hand cut "turtleback" tiles bookmarked by an upper and lower geometric ground. The richly mottled emerald green glass selected for the body of the shade provides a contrast to the sparkling tiles. The simplicity of the design is enhanced by the three dimensional jewel-like quality of the turtleback band. Shown on the Small Stick base (20" tall), this shade is in a private collection in Florida.

Lamp of the Week: 28" Daffodil

The 28" Daffodil is covered in flowers reaching skyward on slender stems swaying gently in a light breeze. The distinctive flowers are a sunny combination of ring mottled, streaky, and textured glasses, while the stems and leaves are blended together from over ten different shades of green. Around the lower portion of the shade, the background mixes deep blue, purple and green which lightens to a perfect sky blue at the top of the shade. Created in 2016, this shade is installed as a chandelier fixture in a private home in Vermont.

20" Waterlily

We completed the 20" Waterlily shade this past week. Waterlily flowers in pink and white gently float on the rippled surface of the pond alongside large lily pads. Textured glasses feature predominately in this shade in the water, pads and border rows.

The shade is shown on the elegant Library base (23.5" tall). The shade is now in a private collection in Indiana.

Lamp of the Week: 14" Tulip

Tiffany Studios designed tulip shades in a variety of sizes and shapes, and this 14" Tulip has the light, airy feel of a fresh Spring day. The flowers in this playful design are bursting with energy and movement. Crisp pink tulips rise up from lively green leaves to play against the fracture streamer sky glass. 14" shades are the perfect size for beside tables or as accent lamps in any room. Shown on the Penguin Foot base (17" overall lamp height), this lamp was created in 2019 and is now in a private local collection.

 

20" Waterlily Part 1

We hit the ground running this January with several lamps being worked on concurrently alongside preparing waxes for lamp bases that were taken to the foundry last week. While Irwin Terry was engaged in soldering a shade, Bill Campbell worked on the layout for a 20" Waterlily being created for a client in Indiana. 

Bill is pictured foiling one section of the waterlily shade.

Lamp of the Week: 12" Acorn

Small accent lamps like this 12" Acorn on the Tobacco Leaf base (15" tall) add a splash of color and interest to any interior. This shade design was original called a Vine Border by Tiffany Studios, but today it is commonly referred to as an Acorn. The gentle shift in color from white at the top down to amber gives this shade a warm glow. Created in 2017, this is one of a pair of lamps commissioned by a client in Portland, Oregon. 

 

20" Daffodil Turban

The 20" Daffodil Turban is one of the many Tiffany Studios lamp shade designs that feature Louis C. Tiffany's favorite flower. The turban shape of the shade and the multiple horizontal borders give the impression that the flowers are bursting forth with springtime vigor.

Created in vibrant tones for a client in Michigan, the shade has lush green leaves and rich yellow and amber flowers that play against the bold blue background. In the photo above, Bill Campbell has completed the layout and the colors are given a final check before being transferred onto the form for soldering.

Irwin Terry is shown completing the soldering on the interior of the shade.

When viewed from above, the flowers are shown to encircle the shade in an undulating garland formation. The shade is mated with the Twisted Vine table base (25.5" tall).