16" Bamboo, Part 1

 

We are currently working on a 16" Bamboo shade. Visitors to the studio often assume that the individual pieces of glass have been bent to create a rounded shade. We explain that while the patterns give the illusion that the glass has been rounded, the pieces themselves are flat. The exception is the bamboo shade patterns where the long leaves make it necessary to slump the pieces to conform to the curvature of the lamp form.

After being cut and fit to the pattern, each long leaf is put onto a slumping form in our kiln and heated. The form has been made to mimic the curvature of the lamp form.

Once slumped, the curved pieces are foiled in preparation for soldering the shade. The pieces that fit around the curved leaves remain flat. Here is a short video showing Bill Campbell placing and firing the pieces in the kiln.

Lamp of the Week: 22" Trumpet Vine

The 22" Trumpet Vine is a large, turban shaped shade that makes an impressive table lamp, chandelier or floor lamp. Supported by thick, woody stems, the flowers are a vibrant mix of mottled, streaky, and textured glasses. Heavily mottled green leaves add a sun dappled appearance to the sparkling blue and green fracture/streamer glass used in the background. Commissioned by a client in Texas in 2020, the shade is shown on the Twisted Vine base (26" tall with tall riser).

 

Studio Hours

 

Due to the winter storm Century Studios closed early Wednesday Feb 22 and we will be closed Thursday Feb 23.

16" Fern

The 16" Fern presents a delicate plant in a bold graphic design. With just under 1000 individual pieces of glass, the pattern is both symmetrical and highly detailed. The shape of the shade is a modified dome that mimics the fullness of the plant as it cascades from its planter.

Long straight stems with fresh green leaves ascend the body of the shade against a light green background glass. The upper collar and lower geometric borders balance the design. The shade was commissioned by a client in Nebraska and is shown on the Small Bamboo base (height 23").

 

Lamp of the Week: 16" Persian with Chain Mail

 

The 16" Persian with Chain Mail shade is a geometric lamp with an exotic look. With its decorative band of arabesques set against a geometric background, the shade is both playful and elegant. The shade has had the addition of Chain Mail borders, which gives the lamp an exotic look. Chain Mail can be added to almost any shade, and it is especially effective on chandelier fixtures. Commissioned in 2012 by a client in Kentucky, the shade is shown on the willowy Grooved base (24" tall).

18" Wisteria, Part 3

The 18" Wisteria lamp is a Tiffany Studios hallmark design. Starting at the top with a cast bronze crown of openwork branches, the shade cascades downwards, ending in an undulating lower edge. This complex shade design has 1945 individual pieces of glass, and requires us to block out 8 weeks of production time in our schedule.

This lamp was commissioned by a client in North Caroline who requested a deep color scheme. Beginning with a sheet of Lins glass made in the 1990's, Bill Campbell began the layout by masterfully blending a variety of deep blues and purples. The overall color palette for the lamp is richly toned, giving the impression of a velvety blanket of flowers. The shade is mated with the study Tree Trunk base.

Lamp of the Week: 18" Tyler

The 18" Tyler is a pleasant shade design in which a geometric ground is overlaid with a playful scrolling ribbon. Warm amber and green tones are blended together for the ribbon and amber is used at the bottom of the shade. The geometric background starts with a stronger green at the top that lightens towards the bottom. Commissioned by a New Jersey client in 2014, the shade is shown on the classic Decorated Trumpet base (22" tall).

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18" Wisteria, Part 2

 

Work on the 18" Wisteria continued steadily throughout the month of January. A wisteria shade requires around 8 weeks of studio production time to create. The cast bronze crown of branches for the top of the shade and the tree base must be created before construction of the shade begins.

Once the exterior had been soldered, the shade was removed from the lamp form and multiple vertical and horizontal reinforcing wires were added to the inside. A copper wire is soldered along the meandering lead lines to give the shade strength. The reinforcing wires are invisible from the exterior of the shade. 

The irregular lower edge of the shade is finished with a half round copper wire. The wire follows the undulating curves of the lower edge. Once tacked in place, the wire is finished soldered to provide strength and give the shade a finished look. Soldering complete, the shade is ready for cleaning and patina. We will show the completed lamp next week.

 

Lamp of the Week: 10" Acorn

Originally called a Vine Border, Tiffany Studios Acorn shade design appears in a variety of sizes. At Century Studios, we recreate acorn shades in the 10", 12", 14" 16", and 20" sizes. The 10" Acorn shade, shown here on the delicate Queen Anne's Lace base, works well as a small accent lamp in any interior. We created this shade and base for a client in 2003.