The Illuminated Vision: Louis Comfort Tiffany Was Interior Designer

About Louis Comfort Tiffany and his home, Laurelton Hall Lighting Timeline The illuminated vision: Louis Comfort Tiffany was interior designer. At 24, he which were unique in the As an interior designer, 3000 B.C. – First use of can- reservoir was hidden in the tiffany lamps and lighting born in 1848 in New York began studying the chemistry way they were streaked with Tiffany designed lighting for dles in Crete and Egypt. lovely mosaic-covered base. from the morse collection City. He was and techniques of glassmak- all kinds of other colors. author Mark Twain’s house Tiffany made candlesticks FAMILY GUIDE the son of the ing. He eventually developed Tiffany introduced lamps in Hartford, Connecticut, in as well as lamps. Find the 1855 – Invention of the famous jeweler, new types of glass of amazing with blown-glass shades in 1881 – 1882 and for President Tiffany candlesticks in Bunsen Burner for laborato- the charles hosmer morse museum of american art Charles Lewis color and texture. In doing 1894 and leaded-glass shades Chester Arthur’s White House Gallery XII. ries that led to the mass use Tiffany, who so, he helped revive the art of in 1898. These lamps, however, in 1882 – 1883. Tiffany, who of gas lighting. founded Tiffany stained glass in America. The were not Tiffany’s first experi- loved to go to the theater, Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848-1933) & Co. of New glass he and others introduced ments with lights or lighting. worked with inventor Thomas 1879 – Thomas Edison pat- York City, which is still in was called opalescent glass and The lamps that became so Edison on the lighting for the ented the incandescent light business today. also, because of its origins in popular were in many ways Lyceum Theater in New York bulb. Louis Comfort Tiffany this country, American glass. a natural result of the artist’s in 1884-1885. The theater was started his artistic career as a The glass came in an unend- long fascination with color said to have included the painter and then became an ing variety of bold colors, and light. first-ever electric footlights.

Two candle lamps, c. 1905. Blown glass, Left: An exterior view of Laurelton Elizabeth Morse Genius wedding gift, Electrolier, c. 1904. Black-eyed Susan design, Leaded glass, Laurelton Hall (1902-1905), Hall. Right: The dining room at Laurelton hall lighting Activity (93-007, 93-008). Cold Spring Harbor, Long Island, New York (67-018). Laurelton Hall. Below: The living room at Laurelton Hall. 1. Take a close look at the photograph of Tiffany’s living 1450 –1200 B.C. – First In Gallery XII, the Black-eyed room. What kind of lamps or lighting would you put in your Susan electrolier, the three ouis Comfort Tiffany was one of the most important Turtleback electroliers, and the living room? use of oil lamps. Some of Turtleback hanging lantern all and influential American artists of the late 1800s and were in Laurelton Hall during Tiffany’s lamps that are now Tiffany’s lifetime. It is not known 2. Go to Gallery III, and find the exhibit of objects from the electric were originally early 1900s. He and his firm, Tiffany Studios, were where the Black-eyed Susan dining room at Laurelton Hall. The light fixture for the din- electrolier was hung in the L house, but all three Turtleback ing room is believed to be the largest lamp Tiffany made for oil lamps. Find Tiffany’s famous throughout America and Europe for revolution- Tiffany constructed Laurelton Hall, an 84- electroliers as well as the a home; it is composed of more than 5,000 pieces of Favrile Cobweb Library Lamp in room mansion on Oyster Bay, Long Island, Turtleback hanging lantern ary creations in colored glass. But though it was Tiffany’s hung over a reading table in glass. Favrile was the name that Tiffany used for his glass, a from 1902 – 1905. He decorated the interior Gallery X. This lamp used the living/music room. name he took from an old English word meaning handmade. stained-glass windows, mosaic works, and blown-glass vases of the mansion with thousands of interesting to be an oil lamp; the oil Cobweb library lamp, No. L146, c. 1900. objects he had collected from around the that launched him on the world stage, it was his lamps more 3. Notice how Tiffany used similar shapes in the ceil- Leaded glass, mosaic, and bronze, world. Inside the mansion, Tiffany also show- Special order (62-020). cased his favorite works from the Studios ing shade, the table, and the rug. In this way, he created than anything else that expanded his popularity beyond “design unity.” What shape did Tiffany use? What is your (including windows, furniture, lighting, glass, wealthy society and into the American heartland. With his pottery, and textiles), many of which he had favorite shape, and why? What shape is most common in designed. Louis Tiffany died in 1933 at the age your bedroom? Answer: Tiffany used an eight-sided shape called an octagon. lamps, Tiffany made practical household objects beautiful. of 85. A fire destroyed Laurelton Hall in 1957. After the fire, Hugh and Jeannette McKean, 4. Go to Gallery IV and study the pictures of Laurelton Hall He was among the first artists to see the invention of early admirers of Tiffany, visited the ruins and and the interior of the chapel. How many lighting fixtures do electric light for its potential as an art form in the home. decided to preserve as much as they could you see pictured in the dining room, reception hall, and for their collection at the Morse Museum in living room photographs? 445 north park avenue, winter park, florida 32789 Winter Park, Florida. (407) 645-5311 www.morsemuseum.org Illuminate: To provide with light; to turn or focus light upon.

©2003 Charles Hosmer Morse Foundation, Inc. About Louis Comfort Tiffany and his home, Laurelton Hall Lighting Timeline The illuminated vision: Louis Comfort Tiffany was interior designer. At 24, he which were unique in the As an interior designer, 3000 B.C. – First use of can- reservoir was hidden in the tiffany lamps and lighting born in 1848 in New York began studying the chemistry way they were streaked with Tiffany designed lighting for dles in Crete and Egypt. lovely mosaic-covered base. from the morse collection City. He was and techniques of glassmak- all kinds of other colors. author Mark Twain’s house Tiffany made candlesticks FAMILY GUIDE the son of the ing. He eventually developed Tiffany introduced lamps in Hartford, Connecticut, in as well as lamps. Find the 1855 – Invention of the famous jeweler, new types of glass of amazing with blown-glass shades in 1881 – 1882 and for President Tiffany candlesticks in Bunsen Burner for laborato- the charles hosmer morse museum of american art Charles Lewis color and texture. In doing 1894 and leaded-glass shades Chester Arthur’s White House Gallery XII. ries that led to the mass use Tiffany, who so, he helped revive the art of in 1898. These lamps, however, in 1882 – 1883. Tiffany, who of gas lighting. founded Tiffany stained glass in America. The were not Tiffany’s first experi- loved to go to the theater, Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848-1933) & Co. of New glass he and others introduced ments with lights or lighting. worked with inventor Thomas 1879 – Thomas Edison pat- York City, which is still in was called opalescent glass and The lamps that became so Edison on the lighting for the ented the incandescent light business today. also, because of its origins in popular were in many ways Lyceum Theater in New York bulb. Louis Comfort Tiffany this country, American glass. a natural result of the artist’s in 1884-1885. The theater was started his artistic career as a The glass came in an unend- long fascination with color said to have included the painter and then became an ing variety of bold colors, and light. first-ever electric footlights.

©2003 Charles Hosmer Morse Foundation, Inc. GLASS TYPES AWARDS the 1893 World’s Columbian About Tiffany Lamps Here are some of the types of glass in Tiffany lamps: In the days before television Exposition in Chicago, and the Internet, a world’s including one for a hang- Leaded glass – Many small pieces of glass are held together with fair was an important way ing lamp and several for his here were many different types of Tiffany lamps, includ- DID YOU KNOW copper foil and lead solder. The many pieces of glass in a leaded-glass Workers at Tiffany Studios for manufacturers to promote chapel. Tiffany also displayed ing floor, desk, tabletop, hanging, and wall-mounted Electrolier, Turtleback design, c. 1905. work are usually arranged in a particular pattern or design. Tiffany’s cut glass for leaded-glass Pressed turtleback glass and bronze, what they made to the world’s his lamps at the Exposition lamps. In addition, there were many styles. Some Tiffany lamps, windows, and other Living room, Laurelton Hall, Cold Spring Peony library lamp is an example of leaded glass. Harbor, Long Island, New York. (56-045:1). consumers. Held as often as Universelle (a world’s fair) T objects with a hand-held lamps have blown-glass shades while others have leaded-glass diamond cutter. Today, once a year in major cities, in Paris, 1900. Once again, shades. What most of these lamps had in common is they in Blown glass – Glass that is formed with the use of a blowpipe. craftsmen still use dia- these large shows for art and he was awarded many med- some way showed nature, the source of Tiffany’s greatest inspi- monds to cut glass, but Molten glass is gathered at the end of the long pipe and is blown science attracted millions of als. One medal was given for ration. In Tiffany’s garden of glass delights, wisteria and tulips more often, they use cutting like a bubble into a particular shape. Tiffany’s Ten-light Lily lamp tools made out of steel or a people. Artists and inventors the design of the Dragonfly & bloom, dragonflies alight on water, and spiders climb their webs. has 10 individual, blown-glass pieces. very hard material known as displayed their works to the Water lamp. Decorative lamp, ten lights, carbide. after 1902. No. 104, Drop cluster blossoms, Standard public, often for the first time. 1. Why would a diamond be No. 381 Pond Lily design, Molded glass – Glass that is poured into a mold in a liquid melted Blown glass and bronze; Sometimes, awards like med- a good cutting tool? Mrs. Curtis Freschel, designer, state. When the glass cools and hardens, the resulting piece of glass is Answer: A diamond is considered to Top honors, 1902 Turin World als or certificates were given. be the hardest surface. in the shape of the mold. An example of molded glass can be seen in Exposition, Italy, Gift of Mrs. Tiffany won 54 awards at George L. Cragg (74-003). Tiffany’s Turtleback electroliers. This molded glass resembles the shell of a 2. Why do you think other Library lamp, c. 1902. Shade No. 1505, Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company pavilion in materials are used to cut Peony design, Holden shape; Standard turtle, and that is how it received its name. the Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building at the glass today? No. 367, O’Brien design, cushion base, 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, Chicago. large, Leaded glass and bronze (69-016). Answer: Diamonds are very expensive.

TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES was a process that included many SALES AND SELECTION TIFFANY LAMP ACTIVITIES Tiffany himself did not person- steps. The first step in making a Customers could purchase a • In Gallery XII, find the matching lampshade sample pattern and lamp. ally develop or create every lamp; lamp was an artist’s drawing or Tiffany lamp in many ways. (Hint: You’ll also find a photograph from Tiffany Studios of this lamp.) instead, he employed hundreds watercolor sketch. They could: Desk lamp, No. 349, after 1902. Library lamp, c. 1902. Shade No. • Study the bronze lamp bases. Can you see how they were also inspired by nature? Pony wisteria design, Leaded glass 1495-36, Dragonfly & Water design, of artists and craftspeople who • Buy one from Tiffany Studios and bronze; Mrs. Curtis Freschel, amber, cone shape, Standard No. designer, Prize, 1902 Turin World 360, Conventional design, cushion carried out his designs or (it was at Tiffany Studios that • Can you find the same base coupled with different lampshades? There are two Exposition, Italy (69-008). base, Leaded glass and gilt bronze; with the No. 363 mushroom design base and two with the No. 360 cushion base. Clara Driscoll, designer (1881-1945), designed lamps under his guide- customers could pick the type Chestnut lampshade sample panel, after 1900. (Hint: Look in both Gallery XII and X.) Prize, 1900 Exposition Universelle, Leaded glass (64-033). Paris (66-005). lines. Tiffany approved everything of lampshade they wanted from himself. Tiffany did not write sample panels that were on shade and lamp base designs. • Find the three Dragonfly & Water lamps exhibited in the show. Artist Clara Driscoll created at least 10 lampshade designs for Tiffany Studios, including this one. down the exact steps that he or display). Customers had more than 400 Earning more than $10,000 a year, she was one of the highest-paid women in America. FLOWERS AND CREATURES SEARCH his craftsmen used to make • Buy one at a department store choices each for Tiffany shades • Enter the chapel, and look for the cross-shaped chandelier that was shown at the • See how many different kinds of flowers you can find represented in the Tiffany lamps lampshades, but photographs and or art gallery. and bases. The shades and bases in the galleries. How many have you seen growing where you live? 1893 world’s fair. Tiffany called this hanging lamp an “electrolier.” It houses more materials remaining from Tiffany’s • Order one through a catalog. had numbers, and buyers could than 200 light bulbs. • The lamps and lighting decorations in Gallery XII depict these small creatures: put them together just the way a nautilus, a scarab, a spider, a dragonfly, a moth, and a butterfly. See if you can find workshops show us that the mak- Tiffany Studios’ designers • Find some of Tiffany’s actual awards in Gallery I. them. Do they look real to you? ing of a leaded-glass lampshade were always adding to lamp- they liked. Design Shop, Tiffany Studios. About Louis Comfort Tiffany and his home, Laurelton Hall Lighting Timeline The illuminated vision: Louis Comfort Tiffany was interior designer. At 24, he which were unique in the As an interior designer, 3000 B.C. – First use of can- reservoir was hidden in the tiffany lamps and lighting born in 1848 in New York began studying the chemistry way they were streaked with Tiffany designed lighting for dles in Crete and Egypt. lovely mosaic-covered base. from the morse collection City. He was and techniques of glassmak- all kinds of other colors. author Mark Twain’s house Tiffany made candlesticks FAMILY GUIDE the son of the ing. He eventually developed Tiffany introduced lamps in Hartford, Connecticut, in as well as lamps. Find the 1855 – Invention of the famous jeweler, new types of glass of amazing with blown-glass shades in 1881 – 1882 and for President Tiffany candlesticks in Bunsen Burner for laborato- the charles hosmer morse museum of american art Charles Lewis color and texture. In doing 1894 and leaded-glass shades Chester Arthur’s White House Gallery XII. ries that led to the mass use Tiffany, who so, he helped revive the art of in 1898. These lamps, however, in 1882 – 1883. Tiffany, who of gas lighting. founded Tiffany stained glass in America. The were not Tiffany’s first experi- loved to go to the theater, Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848-1933) & Co. of New glass he and others introduced ments with lights or lighting. worked with inventor Thomas 1879 – Thomas Edison pat- York City, which is still in was called opalescent glass and The lamps that became so Edison on the lighting for the ented the incandescent light business today. also, because of its origins in popular were in many ways Lyceum Theater in New York bulb. Louis Comfort Tiffany this country, American glass. a natural result of the artist’s in 1884-1885. The theater was started his artistic career as a The glass came in an unend- long fascination with color said to have included the painter and then became an ing variety of bold colors, and light. first-ever electric footlights.