Favrile Iridescent Glass

Favrile glass was patented in 1894 by Louis Comfort Tiffany.

The iridescent effect effect of the glass was obtained by mixing different colors of glass while hot.  This brilliant glass can be seen in several lamps from our online catalog (a handsome blue desk lamp #L078, and a spectacular 18-lily designed by Tiffany #D001)

In 1865, Tiffany traveled to Europe, and in London he visited the Victoria Albert Museum, whose extensive collection of Roman and Syrian glass made a deep impression on him. Tiffany was convinced that the quality of contemporary glass could be enhanced. In his own words, the “Rich tones are due in part to the use of pot metal full of impurities, and in part to the uneven thickness of the glass, but still more because the glass maker of that day abstained from the use of paint”

References: Warmus, William (2001),
Louis Comfort Tiffany, New York:
Wonderland Press; H.N. Abrams
ISBN 978-0810-95828-9