TIFFANY STUDIOS | "Poppy" Table Lamp

with a rare telescopic "Ball" base and finial

For the shade:
Private Collection
Alastair Duncan Ltd., New York, 2002
For the base:
Minna Rosenblatt, New York
Private Collection, Florida
Sotheby's New York, December 17, 2009, lot 429

Robert Koch, Louis C. Tiffany: Rebel in Glass, New York, 1964, p. 187 (for the base)
Alastair Duncan, Tiffany At Auction, New York, 1981, pp. 128 and 177 (for the base)
Robert Koch, Louis C. Tiffany: The Collected Works of Robert Koch, Atglen, PA, 2001, p. 117 (for the base)
Alastair Duncan, Tiffany Lamps and Metalware, Woodbridge, Suffolk, 2007, pp. 162, no. 667 (for the shade), 82, no. 317 and 157, no. 648 (for the base)
Martin Eidelberg, Alice Cooney Frelinghuysen, Nancy A. McClelland and Lars Rachen, The Lamps of Louis Comfort Tiffany, New York, 2005, p. 131 (for the base)

Overall very good condition. When viewed firsthand, the shade displays an overall brighter and more lively color palette compared to the printed catalogue illustration. The background passages are executed in a vibrant turquoise hue, which beautifully complements the orange-red poppy blossoms. The shade with approximately 15 hairline cracks dispersed throughout, stable. The shade with some extremely light surface soiling throughout concentrated to the contours adjacent to the leadlines and beneath the foliate overlays. The etched bronze overlays on the interior in exterior are in very good condition with some minor traces of oxidation. The rare "Ball" root base is in excellent condition. All of the iridized favrile glass balls appear original and undisturbed, with no visible hairlines or damage. The favrile balls all appear visually harmonious, with very gentle rubbing to the exterior iridized surfaces. The bronze surfaces of the base displays a rich brown patina with some scattered minor surface scratches, abrasions, light rubbing to the patina, and minor traces of oxidation consistent with age and gentle use. The telescoping device of the base functions smoothly. All sockets and paddle switches appear original and undisturbed. The rare "Ball" heat cap with threaded pin is in very good condition; the favrile glass ball shows light surface wear and the etched bronze surfaces present with scattered minor surface scratches, abrasions, and minor discolorations. A magnificent shade and base pairing displaying harmonious proportions and luminous coloration.
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.