Fontaine’s Auction Gallery Will Present Tiffany Studios Masterworks at Auction May 31,2025.
A dazzling collection of Tiffany Studios’ finest pieces heads to auction in a dedicated May 31 sale at Fontaine’s.
PITTSFIELD, MASS. Fontaine’s will present a dedicated auction, Tiffany Studios: Masterworks In Glass, on Saturday, May 31. The auction will feature a curated selection of over 300 works by the distinguished American firm, including leaded glass lamps and lighting, favrile glass, fancy goods, and metalwork.
Preview is by appointment May 29-30. Available bidding methods are internet, phone, and absentee.
Fontaine’s has long been associated with fine antiques, particularly important examples of Tiffany Studios' works. Putting together this auction took many months, and its provenance credits read like a “Who’s Who” of Tiffany specialists and galleries.
Expected to lead the sale is an important “Turtle-Back” chandelier from Laurelton Hall, Louis Comfort Tiffany’s residence ($200,000-$300,000). The circa 1905 chandelier retains its vibrant coloring and has a 16-inch diameter shade and a 48-inch drop. Sharing the same estimate is a rare pair of early “Turtle-Back” lanterns, circa 1895, and having provenance to Lillian Nassau.
“These rare ‘Turtle-Back’ lanterns stand out from the more commonly seen examples, which feature tiles made with blue, green, white or red glass,” said auctioneer and owner John Fontaine. “This pair was instead made with translucent and internally decorated glass that glows with a vibrant and multi-hue iridescence. Adding further interest is a border of bands of geometric tiles in fiery tones of red and orange at the top and bottom of each lantern.”
A flared opening in the back of each signifies that they were originally meant to be lit by a gas flame, not electricity. The angle of the flares indicates the lanterns were most likely made for a room with rounded walls to emphasize their artistry in how they transformed light.
Floral table lamps by Tiffany Studios remain perennially popular, and a standout in this auction is a circa 1910 “Double Poinsettia” table lamp ($175,000-$225,000) with a “Roman” base. Its 22 ½-inch diameter shade is impressed “Tiffany Studios, New York, 1551,” and its base is impressed “Tiffany Studios, New York, 529,” and the lamp stands 30 inches tall. Also on offer is a rare 25-Light “Lily” chandelier ($150,000-$200,000), circa 1905, measuring 41 by 26 inches with each shade engraved “L.C.T.”
Rounding out the auction will be a circa 1890 Tiffany Studios scenic window, “The Currie Memorial,” estimated at $125,000-$175,000, with vivid glasswork, including stained, leaded, plated, mottled, jeweled and ripple glass. The window measures 109 by 65 1/2 inches (framed) and depicts a sunset over a mountain landscape.
Fontaine’s Auction Gallery is the oldest operating auction gallery in Western Massachusetts. It has earned the trust of collectors, investors, and gallery owners worldwide. All cataloged lots receive nationwide exposure to the firm’s database of more than 27,500 select buyers. Fontaine’s Auction Gallery has been voted “Best Antique Auction Gallery” eight times by the public. Fontaine’s is actively seeking quality items for all upcoming auctions, including furniture, lighting, art glass, clocks and watches, paintings, porcelains, bronze and marble statuary, Asian items, art glass and cameo glass, Russian objects, silver, musical, coin-op, advertising, toys, banks, gaming, and carousel items.
The firm will buy outright or accept on consignment. Call 413- 448-8922 and ask to speak with John Fontaine, or you can email Mr. Fontaine at info@fontainesauction.com. For more information about the company and the upcoming auction schedule, visit www.fontainesauction.com. Updates are posted frequently.
Fontaine’s Auction Gallery is at 1485 West Housatonic Street (Route 20), Pittsfield, Mass. For more information, visit www.FontainesAuction.com or call 413-448-8922.
