The dragonfly repeatedly served as a source of inspiration for Louis Comfort Tiffany and the artists at Tiffany Studios; the insect, with its finely detailed wings, appeared in designs for jewelry, Favrile Glass mosaics, and, most famously, an iconic series of Tiffany Lamps designed by Clara Driscoll at the turn of the twentieth century.
This 20-inch diameter conical Dragonfly Shade is notable for the glass selection, which masterfully incorporates an array of shades of blue and green. A series of dragonflies with variegated teal bodies streaked with soft green, their overlapping wings articulated in a soft aqua glass overlaid with delicate metal filigree, are set against a background of dramatically mottled Tiffany Glass in a vibrant shade of cornflower blue. The eyes of the dragonflies are formed by rounded teal Tiffany Glass jewels, while green pressed ovoid glass jewels are interspersed throughout the upper register of the shade. The border rows feature similarly sensitive glass selection; the upper border is formed by blue glass with touches of green, while the central band of the lower border incorporates mauve.
This spectacular Dragonfly shade is paired with a bronze Cattail and Pond Lily Table Base in rich brown patina. It is one of the most evocative and sculptural lamp bases produced by Tiffany Studios. The pairing paints a picture of life at water’s edge.
Both the shade and base of this original Tiffany Lamp are signed.
Height: 24 inches (61 cm)
Diameter: 20 inches (50.8)