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windows, the shade is first sketched and then recreated on a 3D plaster What to Look For
mold. After receiving the ok from Tiffany, the design was transferred If you’d rather collect stained glass than create it, we can help with
onto a wooden mold and then patterns for the individual glass pieces that as well. Tiffany lamps dominate the top of the market but because
were created on paper or brass. Each colorful piece came from a larger of their popularity, forgeries are common. According to experts, first
sheet of glass filled with color assess the style. Look for a loose, organic shape with botanicals or natural
striations, variations, and patterns. Genuine Tiffany lamps will have strong colors and a variety of
unique markings, so a glass textures and stylized glass. You’ll see specks of color (confetti) and gold
selector would find the colors will have a translucent,
perfect spot to cut for each amber sheen. If gold appears
detail. The pieces got cut, weak or greenish, you are
smoothed, and wrapped in looking at a reproduction.
slightly overlapping copper Silvery sheens are another
before being placed on the sign of a fake. Experts also
wood mold to be soldered recommend lightly tapping
into a stable shape. The shade on the shade. Authentic
could now be removed from lamps will rattle slightly.
the mold and the copper If all else fails, nail polish
soldered from the inside remover should determine
before being fitted with a rim. if the glass is painted
Tiffany and other modern instead of embedded with
stained glass artisans use color as is usual with modern
opalescent glass, rippled or stained glass.
ridged glass, confetti glass, If you are looking for
and translucent or shaded
This window is an artistic triumph and glass to create their art. stained glass windows for
represents Tiffany at his best. No paint was your home, you can find 20th
used to add detail; the glass is textured using Sometimes modern makers and sometimes 19th century
all of the tools in the Tiffany Studios arsenal, even incorporate beads or pieces in restoration and
such as wrinkling the glass while it was still blown glass discs into their salvage shops or in most While religious themes were most common,
warm and pliable. There are also several layers collages. While medieval places that antique goods wealthy patrons also commissioned stained glass
of colored glass added to the back to give depth makers stuck to a tried and are sold. In today’s world of to honor organizations or families. This intricate
and shading. This window was commissioned true formula, for today’s energy-efficient living, look heraldic panel is dated 1620 and references a
in 1923 by Loren Towle for his Boston mansion stained glass enthusiast, glass for windows with sturdy shipping tradition that was likely quite lucrative.
but was never installed and now awes visitors art can be whatever you The Latin inscription reads “Fortes Fortuna
to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. make it. frames and tight soldering Iuvat,” or “Fortune Favors the Strong.”
Image courtesy of Pinterest, private photo, and the and have fun adding some Courtesy of Detroit Institute of the Arts
Metropolitan Museum of Art color and light to your home.

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