All photos courtesy Lillian Nassau LLC





Arlie Sulka

LOUIS COMFORT TIFFANY (February 18, 1848 – January 17, 1933) is among America’s most acclaimed 19th-century artists and designers. He was appointed as the first design director at his family business, Tiffany & Co., launched by his father, Charles Louis Tiffany. Today, the name Tiffany is synonymous with expensive jewelry, and although Louis Comfort Tiffany also designed exquisite jewelry, he left his mark primarily in the decorative arts, with his stained glass windows and lamps, glass mosaics, and colored glass objects.


LILLIAN NASSAU LLC specializes in the work of Tiffany Studios and Louis Comfort Tiffany, including Tiffany lamps, blown Favrile glass, Favrile pottery, mosaics, and windows. Arlie Sulka joined the gallery in 1980 and assumed ownership in 2006, and is also a long-time appraiser on the PBS hit series Antiques Roadshow. Ms. Sulka spoke to Incollect Magazine about the ravishing beauty and enduring relevance of Tiffany glass.





What is so important about Louis Comfort Tiffany,  and why buy Tiffany glass today?

Louis Comfort Tiffany is the original blown glass influencer. His creativity heavily inspired the modern American Studio Glass movement, and most contemporary glass artists today harken back to his work. Though his glass dates back over a century, its exceptional quality distinguishes it from his period contemporaries, and its appeal remains timeless.




Arlie’s picks: With a budget of up to $5,000, she chose an Early Decorated Cabinet Vase of opaque deep blue iridescent Tiffany Favrile Glass with pulled and hooked swag motifs and gold and purple iridescent glass. Tiffany Glass & Decorating Company, circa 1897–99. With (quite) a bit more to spend, say $25,000, she would pick an extremely rare wheel-carved Favrile Glass Claret Pitcher with fully hallmarked Tiffany & Company sterling silver mount. Decorated with an intaglio motif of green grape leaves, purple grape clusters and brown vine tendrils, with a sterling silver spout of grape leaves, grapes and coiling vine tendrils dangling down onto the glass. Tiffany Studios with Tiffany & Co., circa 1903-04. With a budget of $250,000, the opportunity to own a spectacular and historically significant work of American artistry is presented in this Lotus Table Lamp. Undulating ribs and ridges of leaded green Tiffany Glass reference the underside of the Giant Water Lily, which became a sensation in public gardens during the Victorian era. The Tiffany bronze base has a rich brown patina and is decorated with allover ribbing, mirroring the ribbing of the shade. Tiffany Studios, circa 1902–04. All available at Lillian Nassau LLC on Incollect.com


Left: Rare Autumn Leaves Globe Lamp, Tiffany Glass & Decorating Company, circa 1900. One of the most technically complex shades, it was only produced for a short time. Supported by a bronze Artichoke base. Right: Early Nasturtium Trellis Hanging Shade, Tiffany Studios, circa 1902-04. Nasturtium blossoms, vines and leaves twine through the trellis structure, spilling over the bottom edge in a naturalistic fashion. The shade is composed of exceptional pieces of Tiffany glass, including rippled, mottled and streaked effects.





Intaglio Decorated “Reactive” Paperweight Vase, Tiffany Studios, circa 1900-03. Featuring fine wheel-carved decoration with a body of “Reactive” Favrile Glass, a technically complex blown glass with color tones that shift, or react, to the effects of light. 

How does Tiffany glass enhance an interior scheme, especially within a modern or contemporary home?

I have always maintained that great things will always go well with other great things, no matter the style of the decoration in a home or other space. I believe the breadth of styles, colors, and textures of Tiffany’s glass enhances any interior scheme.



What is the most valuable Tiffany glass item you have for sale? 

We are fortunate to have an extremely early and rare Tiffany stained glass window after a painting by Louis Comfort Tiffany. At the peak of his business enterprises, there were a number of talented artists who designed the most celebrated Tiffany windows, but very few can be attributed directly to the artist himself.



How do you determine the authenticity of Tiffany glass? 

Decades of hands-on experience have honed my eye, and a photographic memory doesn't hurt. 



What would you buy from your own inventory if you had up to $5,000 to spend, up to $25,000 to spend, and up to $250,000 to spend?

Up to $5,000, I would buy an early Tiffany decorated glass cabinet vase. Up to $25,000, I would buy a Tiffany cameo glass claret pitcher with a Tiffany & Co. silver mount. And up to $250,000, I would buy a Tiffany Studios “Lotus” design table lamp.


How is the current market for American art glass? 

The market is on fire. Tiffany glass continues to be a driving force in the market and has been for a few decades now.




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