Tiffany-Style Lamps Are Trending—Shop Our Picks to Bring the Look to Your Home

More than a century after their debut, Tiffany-style lamps are perhaps more popular than ever thanks to the endlessly dynamic Gen Z. Beloved for their bright colors, decorative patterns, and fun, playful style, the reigning generation of the internet has adopted the iconic vintage lamps as their own, even getting them to trend on TikTok. We turned to a Tiffany lamp expert to learn more about the legendary lamps and how to get the Tiffany-style look at home.

The History of Tiffany Lamps

If you immediately think of iconic Tiffany & Company when you hear the term Tiffany lamp, you’re on the right track. The original Tiffany lamps were produced by Tiffany Studios, a company helmed by Louis Comfort Tiffany, the son of the co-founder of Tiffany & Company. The first Tiffany lamps were made in the late 1800s, and they were produced by Tiffany Studios through the 1920s.

“The combination of opalescent glass and the revolutionary copper foiling technique utilized for constructing Tiffany leaded glass shades inspired numerous firms to try to produce lamps in similar styles, both contemporaneously with Tiffany Studios and up to and including the present day,” says Arlie Sulka, a Tiffany lamp expert and owner of Lillian Nassau LLC.

The Designs

At the time, Tiffany received credit for designing and manufacturing the lamps; however, in the years that followed, it came to light that Clara Driscoll, an artist employed by Tiffany Studios, was the true visionary behind many of the shades until she left the company in 1909.

The original lamps produced by Tiffany Studios featured a wide variety of patterns, shapes, and sizes. “Shades could be made of blown glass, metal, or opalescent glass that is held together with copper foiling and solder,” says Sulka. “The bases were usually made of patinated bronze, sometimes incorporating blown glass, or turtle back glass and/or glass mosaic tesserae.”

Tiffany lamps are perhaps best known for their beautiful, eye-catching patterns. The shades of the original Tiffany lamps varied between geometric, floral, and dragonfly patterns, though some lamps were custom-made with particularly unique designs.

Popularity

Despite a dip in popularity between the 1920s and the 1940s, Tiffany lamps have always been in style. In fact, the term “Tiffany lamp,” which once described a lamp designed by the brand, became an all-encompassing term for stained-glass lamps. “Today the lamps are very much in vogue as the market for them is supported by designers who are incorporating them in their interiors, pairing them with both vintage and modern design,” explains Sulka.

Tips for Thrifting Tiffany-Style Lamps

If you are considering adding a timeless Tiffany-style lamp to your home decor, Sulka offers one invaluable tip: “Educate yourself.” The internet is home to a wealth of information about the history of Tiffany lamps and modern-day makers that emulate the original Tiffany aesthetic. “By scrolling through images and reading about the various other companies, you can identify and familiarize yourself with styles, designs, and makers that appeal to you,” says Sulka.

Whether you prefer to shop online or via brick-and-mortar vintage stores, there is no shortage of Tiffany-style lamps. Sulka recommends buying a lamp that you like, first and foremost. “Look for something that has age but is in good condition.” 

Experienced vintage and antique shoppers may be concerned with finding a signature to authenticate a lamp, but Sulka says not to worry. “Many of the companies that were making Tiffany-style lamps were unsigned, so don’t get hung up by finding a signature.”  

Bring Home the Tiffany Look

Even if you don’t want to visit a thrift store, there are plenty of Tiffany-style lamps available online, many of which are incredibly affordable. We’ve rounded up some of our favorites to give you some inspiration.