But, this is one instance where reproductions of an original aren’t completely worthless. In December 2014, Morphy Auctions of Denver, PA offered more than 19 reproduction lamps with the copied Tiffany signature on the leaded glass shades and/or the metal bases sold with them. Gavel down prices on these examples dating to the 1960s ranged from $960 to $5,400 (not including buyer’s premium). While not anywhere close to what an original would have sold for–and avidly shunned by some collectors–it’s worth noting that a high-quality reproduction Tiffany lamp isn’t valueless.
Reproduction Tiffany Floral Glass Lamp Sold for $5,100
This large lamp is a 1960’s reproduction signed Tiffany Studios New York no. 1505, on the shade with a reproduction Tiffany tree trunk base. Shade measures 22 inches in diameter. This lamp sold for $5,100 (not including buyer’s premium) at Morphy Auctions in December 2014. It likely sold for more than most of the other reproduction lamps in the grouping due to the size and the attractiveness of the vivid coloring in the shade.
Reproduction Tiffany Lily Pad Lamp Sold for $2,400
This 1960s reproduction lamp signed Tiffany Studios New York on the shade with a reproduction Tiffany base sold for $2,400 (not including buyer’s premium) at Morphy Auctions in December 2014. The condition is excellent, with the shade measuring 20 inches in diameter. These nicer, vintage in their own right reproductions are not to be confused with mass-marketed products branded Dale Tiffany or those sold on home shopping television channels. All of these imitators should be referenced as leaded glass lamps or, at the very least, Tiffany-style rather than just Tiffany since they are reproductions. The only true Tiffany lamps were made in the very late 1890s and early 1900s in L.C. Tiffany’s New York studio. A company named Century Studios also has also been producing high-quality reproduction Tiffany lamps since 1986.
Reproduction Tiffany Lamp with Floral Shade Sold for $2,160
This 1960s reproduction lamp signed Tiffany Studios New York no. 1455 on the shade with a reproduction Tiffany base sold for $2,160 (not including buyer’s premium) in December 2014. The condition is excellent and the shade measures 16 inches in diameter. It is not clear who manufactured these reproductions in the 1960s, but some collectors will pay decent sums to add them to collections today.
Reproduction Tiffany Lamp with Fruit Shade Sold for $5,400
Tiffany originals are some of the most beautiful lamps in the world, so it is no wonder that those designs have been copied. This large 1960s reproduction lamp signed Tiffany Studios New York Fruit no. 1519 on the shade with a signed reproduction Tiffany base sold for $5,400 (not including buyer’s premium) in December 2014. The condition is excellent, with the shade measuring 24 inches in diameter. This is another example where the large size, exquisite coloring, the pattern on the shade, and an interesting base no doubt added value to the piece, even though it was auctioned as a reproduction of a Tiffany design.
Reproduction Tiffany Woodbine on Green Lamp Sold for $3,000
This 1960s reproduction Woodbine on Green lamp is signed Tiffany Studios New York no. 1468 on the shade. With a reproduction Tiffany base, it sold for $3,000 (not including buyer’s premium) in December 2014. The condition is excellent, with a 16-inch shade. Remember, not all Tiffany reproductions are created equally. Only those with high quality leaded glass shades and attractive, substantially cast bases will bring high prices at auction. Newer mass-marketed examples with substandard shades may be pretty at first glance, but they don’t hold up in terms of quality when compared to the nicer repros. Also, other types of Tiffany reproductions, such as a later representation of the company’s Favrile glass, usually won’t have the same type of appeal to collectors as these lamps.
