Rare Early Poppy Table Lamp

Rare Early Poppy Table Lamp
Tiffany Studios
circa 1905

This original Tiffany Lamp features an extremely rare early variation of a leaded glass shade possibly designed by Clara Driscoll or one of the Tiffany Girls around 1900. Few examples of this 18-inch diameter Irregular Poppy Shade are known today; by 1910, this more elaborate design was likely phased out in favor of the conical Poppy shade designed by Clara Driscoll.

Bunches of wild poppy flowers and buds sprout in profusion from a series of narrow horizontal border rows at the base of the shade in rich shades of green, yellow and amber. The poppies are formed by deeply saturated magenta glass streaked with inky blue and purple. Several of the petals and flower buds are formed by reverse mounted rippled glass, giving the illusion of texture and three-dimensionality to the poppies. The stems and leaves are formed by variegated green glass; several of the leaves nearest to the poppies are formed by rippled glass with hints of pink. The vibrant flowers stand out against a background of richly pigmented glass with heavy mottling, shifting from deep golden glass to a creamier yellow near the crown of the shade.

This exceptional Irregular Poppy Shade is paired with an original bronze Tyler Lamp base in rich brown patina. There is a distinct harmony in this pairing: the shade’s form, with narrow opening at the crown and curved shoulder leading to straight sides, is described in Tiffany’s records as the “Tyler” form. It was designed to pair with the Tyler base.

Both the shade and base of this rare and early authentic Tiffany Lamp are signed.

Height: 24 inches (61 cm)
Diameter: 18 inches (45.7 cm)