Tiffany Glass & Decorating Company "Moorish Turtleback" Chandelier
This monumental chandelier by the Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company features a dramatic interlace shade composed of green turtleback tiles set within heavy, sculptural leading. The upper border is defined by an irregular ring of turtleback tiles accented with twisted wire filigree, while the lower edge is enriched with pyramidal square jewels and a chainmail-like skirt of interconnected amber tiles and bronze ball chains, creating a rich, mosaic effect. The design takes its name from its resemblance to Moorish lamellar armor.
The shade is fitted with six downturned amber Favrile glass tulip shades decorated with gold and green pulled-feather ornament. The light is further softened by amber and green opalescent glass cups suspended from bronze ball chains. Above, a votive crown encircled with amber turtleback tiles supports pendilia of bronze chains and marquise-shaped ruby and amber glass jewels, all suspended from a canopy finished with a ball-chain fringe.
Item #: L-22030
Artist: Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company
Country: United States
Circa: 1900
Dimensions: 34.5" diameter, 76" height (height can be lengthened)
Materials: Leaded Glass, Favrile Glass, Bronze
Literature: Duncan, Alastair, and Christie, Manson & Woods International Inc. 1981. Tiffany at Auction. New York: Rizzoli. p. 189 pl. 511
Item #: L-22030
Artist: Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company
Country: United States
Circa: 1900
Dimensions: 34.5" diameter, 76" height (height can be lengthened)
Materials: Leaded Glass, Favrile Glass, Bronze
Literature: Duncan, Alastair, and Christie, Manson & Woods International Inc. 1981. Tiffany at Auction. New York: Rizzoli. p. 189 pl. 511
The chandelier's design draws upon elements from several of the firm’s earliest and most significant liturgical commissions. As many of the world’s great cathedrals fell into disrepair, the mid-19th century witnessed a sweeping wave of restorations across Christendom—from Eugène Viollet-le-Duc’s controversial renovation of Notre-Dame to the Fossati brothers’ restoration of Hagia Sophia. These projects helped ignite a renewed interest in Gothic and Byzantine architecture throughout the Western world, influences that would come to shape the ecclesiastical oeuvre of Louis Comfort Tiffany.
The chandelier's design draws upon elements from several of the firm’s earliest and most significant liturgical commissions. As many of the world’s great cathedrals fell into disrepair, the mid-19th century witnessed a sweeping wave of restorations across Christendom—from Eugène Viollet-le-Duc’s controversial renovation of Notre-Dame to the Fossati brothers’ restoration of Hagia Sophia. These projects helped ignite a renewed interest in Gothic and Byzantine architecture throughout the Western world, influences that would come to shape the ecclesiastical oeuvre of Louis Comfort Tiffany.
