So you want an authentic Tiffany lamp. Naturally there are ways to find out if a lamp is an authentic Tiffany or not. You can try assessing a lamp yourself but there are a couple of things that you should know first about looking at authentic Tiffany pieces.

Tiffany’s Work

The term Tiffany is actually considered by many as a different form of art all by itself. It all began with Louis Comfort Tiffany who found a way to artistically put together stained glass. Among his many treasured and prized pieces of work are his authentic lamps.

Since the late 1800s to the 1900s however, Tiffany has not been alone in creating stained glass work. Although we often remember his name when we see stained glass, many of today’s lamps and glass decorative pieces are by other artists. Whether an artist intends to imitate Tiffany or create his own piece of artwork, it hasn’t become easy to separate real lamps by Tiffany from other works of art.

Tiffany Mark

Like any other well-known artist, Tiffany made sure that his work bore his name and mark. A lamp made by Tiffany would usually carry its maker’s name at the base. As many of us would already know though, having Tiffany’s name on lamps will not ensure that they are authentic Tiffany lamps. The labels could have been carefully replicated by another artist. In some cases, authentic bases may be paired with non-authentic shades.

Lamp Traits

It has also been suggested that one can evaluate a lamp if it is authentic or not by looking at designs and patterns. Lampshades may come in globe, panel or cone. The designs on the shades also typically carry geometric shapes with figures of flowers and dragonflies. Obviously, these common patterns can easily be replicated by talented artists. Although close inspection may probably show differences from the master’s hand, a copyist’s work may easily pass off as an authentic Tiffany.

Lamp Price

A Tiffany piece is never cheap. Lamps are often thousands of dollars more than ordinary lamps. The most expensive ones have actually been sold for more than a million dollars each. The price can therefore be a clue to authenticity. Never settle for lamps that are suspiciously cheap. Then again, the more daring con artists can easily jack up their price for a fake replication.

If you really want to own an authentic Tiffany lamp, your best shot is to find reputable dealers. You can additionally ask old lamp experts to help you find the truth behind a piece you want to buy.