Rare Early “Moorish” Hanging Fixture

Rare Early “Moorish” Hanging Fixture
Tiffany Studios
circa 1902
This elaborate ceiling fixture in the Moorish taste was likely produced by Tiffany Studios for a custom commission in the first years of the 20th century.

This fixture showcases an incredibly rare matched set of eight early decorated gold iridescent Tiffany Favrile Glass “Tulip” Shades with flared rims. Each shade is formed by translucent golden blown Tiffany glass, the exterior decorated with a motif of tight coiling swirls. This decoration is rarely seen on Tiffany’s “Tulip” Shades, which are more commonly found in plain gold iridescent glass with no decoration, or with a large pulled feather or leaf motif. These shades are enhanced by shimmering surface iridescence in shifting tones of purple, blue, green and gold, intensifying the swirling decoration.

These rare and special shades are suspended from an elaborate system of graduated chains and patinated bronze spheres in the Aesthetic taste, interspersed throughout with suspended spheres formed by hand-cut pieces of translucent gold iridescent pressed Tiffany Glass “Turtle Back” tiles. This arrangement of Tiffany glass and metalwork is suspended from a heavy bronze crown featuring a series of matching inset gold iridescent pressed Tiffany Glass “Turtle Back” Tiles, the irregular surface of each tile accented by shifting rainbow iridescent hues in reflected light.

Each of the eight Tiffany glass shades feature an inscribed signature.

Drop from ceiling: 30 inches (76.2 cm)
Diameter: 16 inches (40.6 cm)