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Tiffany Studios New York Geometric "Turteback Tile" Plafonnier
This stunning Tiffany studios Plafonnier is decorated with rippled amber & white glass radiating from an amber Turtleback tile terminal. A band of irregularly shaped amble Turtleback tiles decorates the apex of the shade. Sumptuous and romantically uneven borders frame each tile, accentuating their unique silhouettes and adding a dark, matte element to contrast the bright, shimmering color of the turtlebacks. With custom made Tiffany style reproduction hanging hardware.
- Product Details
- Curator's Notes
Item #: L-20835
Artist: Tiffany Studios New York
Country: United States
Dimensions: 43" height, 17" diameter
Materials: Favrile Glass, Bronze
Shade Signed: Tiffany Studios New York
Literature: A similar chandelier is pictured in: Tiffany Lamps and Metalware: An illustrated reference to over 2000 models, by Alastair Duncan, Woodbridge: Suffolk: Antique Collectors’ Club, 1988, p. 319, plate 1272.
In his twenties, Tiffany was given early access to see the Cypriot antiquities collection of Met Museum director General Luigi Palma di Cesnola. The primitive beauty of the Cyprus's turtle carapace scale rings and bracelets delighted Tiffany, inspiring his turtleback tiles. The "Turtleback" tile was among the earliest innovations at Tiffany Furnaces in Corona New York. A large glass press created the appearance of hand wrought tiles, belying their industrial manufacture. Both the turtleback tile and iridescence were distinguishing factors that marked Louis Comfort Tiffany as a luminary of glass innovation.