Tiffany Studios

with a rare favrile glass “Peacock” base
together with two rectangular leaded glass lamp screens (not shown)

Guy Kent Fullagar, Treasurer of the Board of Directors, Tiffany Studios, New York, circa 1905
Thence by descent to the present owner

Overall in very good condition. This lamp has descended in the family of Guy Kent Fullagar, who served as Treasurer of the Board of Directors of Tiffany Studios from circa 1902-1929, and by all accounts the shade and base have originated together since the period. The shade with approximately 15 cracks to the glass tiles dispersed throughout, and with surface soiling along the recessed contours of the shade leading. The rare favrile glass ¡°Peacock¡± base is in remarkably good condition. There is a very small and shallow surface fleck to the top rim of the glass standard just below the beaded bronze border of the upper base components (approximately ¨ù x ¨ü inch). The patinated bronze components of the base with some light surface wear, surface soiling and rubbing consistent with age and gentle use. The socket cluster components with heavier surface soiling. This base was originally designed as an oil lamp and converted in the period to electricity. The riser, sockets and paddle switches all appear to be undisturbed from the period, and the sockets even retain their original cardboard insulator liners. The underside of the base retains the original patinated metal gas pipe which extends from the center of the underbase to the bronze cord guide along the perimeter. This pipe now cleverly conceals the electrical cord. The shade arms (which are each connected by a central bronze collar and are therefore one individual component) appear to be slightly out of position and would benefit from a minor adjustment to insure that the shade sits straight when viewed from all angles. A strong example of the model displaying a highly saturated and well-varied jewel-tone color palette. The lamp presents beautifully in person, and the shade and base pairing is wonderfully artistic and complementary. Please note that this lot includes two rectangular-shaped ¡°Geometric¡± lamp screens which descended in the Shipley-Fullagar Family and originated with the lamp. Such lamp screens were designed by the Tiffany firm to suspend from the top aperture of lamp shades in order to help shield the sitter from the brightness of the light bulbs. The present screens are composed of yellow-green glass and correspond in coloration with the lower border glass of the Peacock shade.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Guy Kent Fullager (1870-1965) served as the Treasurer of the Board of Directors of Tiffany Studios from about 1902 until 1929.  During his long tenure at Tiffany Studios, Fullager collected many of the firm’s lamps and tablewares, including this magnificent early "Peacock" Table Lamp and the two floral Cameo Vases offered in lot 321.  Fullager’s descendants recall that he often reminisced about his job interview with Louis Comfort Tiffany at his grand mansion on Madison Avenue in New York City, which Fullager described as one of the most beautiful and lavish interiors that he had ever seen.