Tiffany Glass

Tiffany Glass was invented by Louis Comfort Tiffany in 1837. His partner was John B. Young, but Tiffany didn't always have him there (2). They were partners when they began, but when Tiffany Glass became famous, Louis decided he wanted to go alone, so he broke off the partnership with Young (1).

In 1852, he brought in the English sterling standard to America for Tiffany silver (1). In 1866, he introduced a pronged setting for diamond solitaires called "The Tiffany Setting" (1). Tiffany was one of two American silver manufacturers (1). He also made a Segal Collection, very strong Art Nouveau glass (3). His work mostly relies on shape, color and design (3).

Tiffany's first foray into the art world was in painting (3). He exhibited his first paintings at the National Academy of Design (2). Tiffany also did enamel work, pottery, metalwork, small wooden objects and jewelry (3). The first retail operation was opened in the Clifton area of Cincinnati, Ohio in 1989 (2). The most important piece in the late 19th century was the William Cullen Bryant Vase (1).

Tiffany became one of the world's leading gem merchants (1). He opened a Paris branch in 1850 and a London branch in 1868 (1). He designed alter crosses, candlesticks, and other church silver of note (1).

At 31, he formed a company with Samuel Colman and Candace Wheeler called Louis C. Tiffany and Associated Artists (2). By then his Tiffany "type" windows were all over America, in the homes of the nouveau-riche from Seattle to San Francisco, in churches from New England to the Middle West (4). They were very bright in color and he always used a pattern with them. Most often he used flowers. Others were shaped like rocks or people.

He set a standard for American silver table work (5). Some people said that the iridescent glass which eventually became almost as much a trademark of art nouveau as the whiplash curve. He experimented by mixing sand, lime, and soda, the basic ingredients of glass (1).

His work now costs even more than it did in the 1830's. A Tiffany candlestick may cost $9750, an amethyst plate may cost $885 and a green Tiffany plate may cost $925 (4).

The Lycoming County Historical museum displays a Tiffany window given by a local church when the congregation moved.

2. http://www.Tiffanyartglass.com/home.html. Gaeanet design Inc. 1998

3. http://www.lilliannassau.com/tiffany/tiffany.html

4. http://www.tfaui.com/newsmi/nmus18n.htm

5. http://www.askjeeves.com

6. http://www.altaviats.com