Description:

Tiffany Studios
A Rare & Early Pair of "Turtle-Back" Lanterns

circa 1895
leaded glass, favrile glass, bronze
12 in. high x 10 in. diameter (lantern only)
50 in. drop

Louis Comfort Tiffany was a master in his craft and dedicated himself to innovative designs for lighting interior spaces. These exceptional and rare pair of lanterns are of significance not only due to their design and beauty, but also their early history. As viewed in Louis Comfort Tiffany and Laurelton Hall: An Artist's Country Estate, New York, 2006, p. 137, a similar spherical lantern is shown with a Turtle-Back band and similar hardware of interlocking circles.

These extremely rare "Turtle-Back" tiles differ from the usual examples seen, which are made of blue, green, white or red glass. They were made with transparent and internally decorated glass with vibrant multi-color iridescence to the outside. Bordering the band at the top and bottom are geometric tiles displaying fiery tones of red and orange.

The flared opening in the back of each indicates the lanterns were originally intended to be lit by a gas flame and not electricity. The angle of the flares opening shows that they were most likely made for a room with rounded walls, to bring out the full potential of the magnificent glass in these lanterns.

  • Provenance: Lillian Nassau, New York
    Collection of John and Katsy Mecom, Houston, Texas
    Sotheby's New York, Highly Important Tiffany Lamps from the Collection of John W. Mecom, Jr. Houston, Texas, April 22, 1995, lot 18
    Acquired from the above by an Important American Collector
    Sotheby's, New York, Dreaming in Glass: Masterworks by Tiffany Studios, 12 December 2019, lot 410
    Acquired from the above sale by the present owner, Important West Coast Collection
  • Literature: Alastair Duncan, Tiffany Lamps and Metalware, Woodbridge, Suffolk, 2007, p. 282, no. 1097 (for one of the lanterns illustrated)
    Robert Koch, Louis C. Tiffany: The Collected Works of Robert Koch, Atglen, PA, 2001, pp. 124 and 280 (for a related "Turtle-Back" lantern in situ at Laurelton Hall)
    Alice Cooney Frelinghuysen, Louis Comfort Tiffany and Laurelton Hall: An Artist's Country Estate, New York, 2006, p. 137 (for the above mentioned period photograph)
  • Notes: Fontaine's Auction Gallery can arrange shipping for this item (USA only).
  • Condition: Very good overall condition. One lantern with approximately 3 hairline cracks disbursed throughout. The other lantern with approximately 2 hairline cracks disbursed throughout. One "Turtle-Back" tile with a tight hairline crack which is stable. Each with period sockets. The hanging hardware of each lantern appears to be original with the exception of the upper ceiling canopies.

    The absence of a condition report does not imply there are no condition issues with the lot. Please inquire for a detailed condition report.

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May 31, 2025 11:00 AM EDT
Pittsfield, MA, US

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