Louis Comfort Tiffany Lamp in the Form of a Candlestick

The iridescent sheen of this “Candlestick” Lamp was achieved through a process of spraying tin chloride onto hot cobalt glass, followed by reheating in a low-oxygen, reducing environment. This iridescence was initially created by forming a mirror-like finish both inside and outside the glass, achieved by turning the oil fire to its highest setting before applying the sprays. Once the desired rich colors appeared, the flame was lowered to a normal heat. The organic ruffling of the shade showcases the exceptional skill and confidence of Tiffany’s glassmakers. Instead of using conventional tools like crimping irons, they allowed the molten glass to naturally take shape by swinging it upside down on the blowpipe. The shade connects to the base with a smooth, feathered favrile glass stem, contrasting the striking blue shade with a delightful contrast. The lamp was thus named by the shade’s “candlestick” base, complete with a flange, neck, and a bobeche—a disk-like top that catches dripping wax. The lamp’s base features a mold-blown pattern of ten vertical ribs, twisting elegantly from the flange to the bottom.