AIC: Tiffany Shade ..

Hanging Head Dragonfly Shade on Mosaic and Turtleback Base..
Design attributed to Carla Pierce Wolcott Driscoll
Description: 1906 / Favrile glass and bronze..

The marker reads..
Around 1898 Louis Comfort Tiffany's firm began creating lamps fitted for electricity with trademark Favrile glass, which feature subtle shading and unique textural effects. As artistic director, Tiffany approved all patterns but designed relatively few lamps himself. Clara Driscoll, head of Women's Glass Cutting Department at Tiffany Studios, was likely responsible for design of this shade and base. She began working for Tiffany in 1888, and designed the majority of the firms lamps until she left the company in 1908 or 1909.

This shade which is larger than most models, harmoniously blends hues ranging from deep amethyst to bright green and incorporates glass cabochons and inverted dragonfly bodies with metal filigree overlay. The bronze base features iridescent turtle back tiles and lustrous glass mosaic. Although many lamps and bases were mass-produced, female glass selectors ensured that every lamp possessed an individualized color scheme. Ann example of Art Nouveau style in the United States, this work exemplifies Tiffany's interest in handcraftsmanship and the organic quality of nature...

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