Closed for the Holidays!

Century Studios is closed

for the Holidays

We will resume regular business hours on

Tuesday January 3rd

 

Pair of 14" Chestnut Lamps

Commissioned by a client in Wisconsin, this pair of 14" Chestnut shades have a bold color palette. Creating a pair of matching lamps presents unique challenges and over the years we have fine tuned our production strategy when asked to create twin pieces.

To create a set of true twin lamps, we must approach the layout and glass selection as if the two pieces are a single large shade. Once the glass selection is complete, the pieces are sorted into two individual lamps and the construction proceeds with first one, then the second.

Because of the production logistics involved, extra time must be allotted in our schedule when creating a pair of twin lamps. In the photo above, Bill Campbell is foiling the first of the two chestnut shades.

Once the pieces of the first lamp have been foiled, Irwin Terry continues the construction process by transferring the pieces to the waxed lamp form and continuing on with the soldering. Bill returns to the cutting, fitting and foiling of the second shade.

The 14" Chestnut is a Century Studios original shade design created by Bill Campbell in 2011. The shades are mounted on a matching pair of Shell Urn bases.

Lamp of the Week: 16" Poinsettia

The 16" Poinsettia presents the exuberant plant in a formal, stylized way that still conveys the playfulness of the flowers. The wide floral band is bookmarked by amber geometric tiles that have a rosy tinge. Textured red glasses were chosen for the flowers. Created in 2004 and now in a private collection, the shade is shown on the Cereus w/Arms base.

Mermaid Lamp

One of Tiffany Studios' more unique lamp designs is the Mermaid w/Nautilus Shell.

The sculptural cast bronze base depicts a double-tailed mermaid riding the crest of a frothing wave while holding an illuminated nautilus shell above her head. The mermaid base was sculpted by artist Louis Gudebrod. Mr. Gutebrod's signature appears in low relief on the casting and thus is the only lamp base designer credited by Tiffany Studios.

The nautilus shade is built on a wooden form. Curving in on itself, the shade must be made in interlocking sections which are then carefully assembled to create the finished shell (this production photo is from an example created at our studio in 2009).

To give the shade a pearlescent look, we chose a semitransparent white glass that is lightly mixed with whispy blue, yellow and pink.

Tiffany Studios used the nautilus shade with several different bases, but this has always been the most coveted shade/base combination.

The siren song of the mermaid is exemplified in this highly detailed accent lamp (16" tall).
 

Lamp of the Week: 22" Poinsettia

 

The 22" Poinsettia (often referred to as the Double Poinsettia) showcases large expressive flowers blooming within a formal trellis. The tiered trellis creates windows through which the flowers expand. This shade has a blended coloration where different colors with the same tone are used throughout. When viewed from a distance the shade appears to be one tone, but when approached the individual colors begin to intensify and stand out from one another.

Set against a mottled celadon green background and a warm amber trellis, the flowers are a combination of complimentary orange tones. The orange is deceiving, because the flowers actually have been skillfully blended from glasses that include orange, amber, pink, red, and yellow. Commissioned in 2020 by a client in Arizona, the shade is shown on the Twisted Vine base (25.5" tall).

 

Doric Column Torchiere Lamp

Inspired by Tiffany Studios penchant for mixing and matching shades and bases in unexpected combinations, we created this Doric Column Torchiere lamp with a blown glass Heart-Shaped Magnolia shade. The shade was created by Lundberg Studios, who ceased production many years ago. The bottom of the lamp base is 6.5" square and the height is 20" (with shade). This one of a kind lamp is currently available for purchase from our studio showroom.

Lamp of the Week: 18" Oriental Poppy

The 18" Oriental Poppy is a pleasingly complex Tiffany Studios shade design. Red poppy flowers have long been a symbol of sacrifice and remembrance in western culture. This example, created in 2014 for a local client, has an explosion lush red and orange poppies set against vibrant blues, purples, and greens. Three horizontal border rows barely contain the exuberant blooms as they create a three dimensional vista of color. The shade is shown on the elegant Library base (22.5" tall).

10" Geometric Brickwork

New to our studio showroom is this 10" Geometric shade in a brickwork pattern. The shade has an overall peach tone but the glass is actually a multi color mix, so the shade has unexpected shots of yellow, white, and blue when viewed close up.

The shade is mated with the highly detailed Queen Anne's Lace base (overall lamp height 17").  Louis Comfort Tiffany was often inspired by the Queen Anne's Lace, or Wild Carrot plant when designing lighting fixtures and fancy goods. We created this lamp for our showroom and it has been sold.

 

 

Holiday Hours

Century Studios Holiday Hours

Thanksgiving Day - Closed

Friday Nov 25 through Friday Dec 23 - Regular Business Hours

Saturday Dec 24 through Mon Jan 2 - Closed

Tues Jan 3 - Resume Regular Business Hours

Lamp of the Week: 18" Peony

 

Peony flowers symbolize romance, prosperity and good fortune, and this showy flower was a frequent inspiration for lamps at Tiffany Studios. For this 18" Peony shade we chose an intensely colored fuchsia glass blended with candy apple red, royal purple, deep bubble gum pink, and milky white. To enhance the intensity of the flower colors, a blue and yellow background glass with an undercurrent of the deep fuchsia was chosen. The lush greens in the leaves and border rows give a fullness to the design.

The shade is shown on the Grooved base (26" tall). This lamp was created as a showroom piece in 2019 and is now in a private collection.
 

Lily Pad Candlestick

We have recently completed a pair of Lily Pad Candlesticks with Cauldron Tops (17" tall) for our studio showroom.

Cast off a rare original Tiffany Studios example, the base of the candlestick is an undulating mass of overlapping lily pad leaves.

We offer this candlestick design with a choice of the Cauldron Top or a Jeweled Top. All our candlesticks are sold individually. The pair of Lily Pad Candlesticks with Caldron Tops is currently available for purchase from our showroom.

Lamp of the Week: 25" Roman

The 25" Roman shade has an unusual shape which is generally referred to as "elephant ear" or helmet. Generously proportioned, this versatile shade can be used as a table lamp, floor lamp, or chandelier fixture. This richly colored shade features fiery amber and red tones and is shown on the Twisted Vine base (25.5" tall). This lamp was created in 2005 for a local client and was installed as an inverted chandelier fixture.

22" Maple Leaf

As the leaves exhibited their inspirational colors outdoors, we continued work on the 22" Maple Leaf shade at the studio.

After laying in the background colors, Bill Campbell skillfully composed the shade leaf by leaf.

Once the layout was complete, the lamp was foiled and soldered together.

Viewing the shade from above, the intricate interplay of branches at the top of the shade is revealed.

Commissioned by a local client, the completed lamp is being installed as a chandelier fixture. The shade is shown on the telescoping Lion's Foot base (28" tall - telescopes taller).

Lamp of the Week: 14" Dragonly

The 14" Dragonfly is one of our most popular shade patterns. This compact shade showcases six filigreed dragonflies, pressed glass jewels, and can be created in any coloration. For this piece, the shade begins at the top with a grassy green that quickly blends into cobalt blue. The green dragonflies have textured purple wings tinged with blue. Commissioned in 2017 by a local client, the shade is shown on the Chinese base (16" tall).

Studio Hours

 

Studio Hours:
Thursday Oct 27, Closing at 1:00pm
Friday Oct 28 through Monday Oct 31 - Closed
Tuesday Nov 1 - Resuming regular business hours

16" Geometric w/Triangles

Geometric shades add a splash of color to any room. For this 16" Geometric w/Triangles shade we chose a warm golden glass for the body of the shade and a subtly different tone of gold for the decorative band of triangles. The shade is shown on the Lummis base (18.5" tall). This lamp has an inviting, homely personality and is currently available for purchase from our studio showroom.

Lamp of the Week: 16 Geranium

From spring to late fall geraniums give a splash of color to gardens, porches, and window boxes. For this 16" Geranium shade, a smokey blue & green background sets off the dappled green leaves and cheerful red flowers. The rippled glass in the borders gives a textural accent to the shade. The shade is shown on the distinctive Greek Urn base. We created this lamp in 2012 as a showroom piece and it is now in a private collection.

22" Maple Leaf, Part 1

We generally like to follow a large, complicated shade with a smaller piece or two before jumping into another big project but we schedule our commissions in the order that we have received the orders. After completing the 28" Lemon Tree with Birds shade we moved directly onto another Century Studios designed shade, the 22" Maple Leaf.

Commissioned by a local client, Bill Campbell began the layout while Irwin Terry was soldering on the Lemon Tree shade. Inspired by the seasonal brilliance of the turning leaves, we introduced the 22" Maple Leaf shade design in 2012.

Lamp of the Week: 16" Turtleback

Turtleback shades are a unique category of Tiffany lamp that were created in a seemingly endless variety of shapes, sizes and colors. This 16" Turtleback shade  is made with a mottled green glass mixed with cream tones. The band of turtleback tiles are hand cut and faceted from the large 4" x 6" tiles. This shade was commissioned by an Illinois couple in 2016 and was finished with a different base. We had a Bell Pepper base in the studio at the time and shot this photo to show a different shade/base combination.

 

28" Lemon Tree

We have completed the 28" Lemon Tree with Birds shade for our client in Washington state. This is a Century Studios original shade pattern that Bill Campbell designed in 2007. The shade takes its inspiration from a 1910 Tiffany Studios glass mosaic wall panel.

Throughout the shade, lush foliage and intertwining branches camouflage groupings of contentedly perched birds. The rich browns of the intertwining tree branches play against the blended color palette of amber, yellow and green. Our client will install the shade as a chandelier fixture.

 

Lamp of the Week: 16" Bamboo

The 16" Bamboo is a serene Tiffany lamp pattern. In many cultures, bamboo symbolizes uprightness of character and friendship. The background glass for the shade is a translucent green/blue/purple mix that creates a smokey atmosphere. Each of the long leaf pieces of glass must be slumped in a kiln to match the curvature of the shade. The lamp was commissioned in 2012 by a client in North Carolina and is shown on the Small Stick base (20" tall).

28" Lemon Tree, Part 1

The 28" Lemon Tree is a Century Studios original shade design that was created by Bill Campbell in 2007. This intricate pattern was inspired by a Tiffany Studios wall mosaic. We are nearing completion on this impressive shade, which was commissioned by a client in Washington state.

While Irwin Terry soldered several geometric shades, Bill began the task of laying out the Lemon Tree. Large complex shades such this one require total concentration and tend to take up every flat work surface in the studio. Bill began the layout with the background and birds.

The design is quite intricate with many tiny pieces, each of which must be cut, fit and foiled with precision.

Once Bill completed the layout, Bill and Irwin worked on foiling the pieces. Each piece was then transferred onto the waxed form in preparation for soldering. The completed shade will be shown in an upcoming post.

Lamp of the Week: 20" Acorn

The generous proportions of the 20" Acorn shade give this lamp a commanding presence. The "acorn" pattern was originally designed as a "leaf border", but the nut inspired moniker has become the accepted name for this pattern. This large geometric shade was made in tones of green mixed with yellow in 2012 for a client in Boston. The shade is shown on the willowy Twisted Vine base (25.5" tall).

18" Peacock Lamp

The 18" Peacock Lamp is a fine example of Tiffany Studios' ability to design a shade and base where the combination transforms a lamp into a lit sculpture. The impressive Peacock base (29.5" total lamp height) mimics the bird's feathered breast while the shade consists of overlapping peacock tail feathers that playfully fan out across the surface of the shade. 

The shade consists completely of overlapping peacock tail feathers that are held in check by a series of horizontal border rows. 

Bill Campbell painstakingly chose the colors for this shade, which shift from purple tones at top through greens and finally into peachy amber tones at the bottom. Each overlapping feather is defined by the signature "eye" and the colors at the bottom of the shade reflect the colors in the eyes. Like the tail of a peacock, the shade looks different from every angle.

The impressive cast base also has inset iridescent glass eyes at the bottom that catch and reflect the light of the lamp.

For this shade, Bill used True Dichroic Glass, a recently created line of Tiffany reproduction glass by the Youghiogheny Opalescent Glass Company. This glass has the unique property of changing from one color to another when illuminated. The glass is also opaque when unlit and becomes brilliantly transparent when the lights of the lamp are turned on.

Recently completed as a showroom example, this impressive lamp is now in a private collection in Texas.