Uncovering the Authenticity: Decoding the Real Tiffany Lamp Markings

Introduction:

Chances are, if you’ve ever come across a Tiffany lamp or any other Tiffany-style light fixture, you know it’s something special. Tiffany lamps seem to have a certain magic about them that draws people in, and it’s easy to see why. The brilliant colors and intricate designs of these lamps are truly stunning. However, with so many replicas and fakes out there, how can you be sure you’re getting the real deal? One place to start is by examining the markings on the lamp.

What to Look For:

The first thing to understand is that real Tiffany lamps were not always marked. In fact, many of the early lamps produced by Tiffany Studios did not have any type of signature or marking at all. However, as the lamps gained popularity and more companies began producing copies, Tiffany realized he needed to protect his designs and began marking his lamps in various ways.

Label:

One of the most common markings on a genuine Tiffany lamp is the label. Starting in the early 1900s, Tiffany began placing small paper labels on the inside of his lamp shades. These labels were usually circular or oval and were printed with the words “Tiffany Studios New York” in a variety of fonts. The labels were typically placed near the bottom of the shade, often overlapping the metal rim.

Signature:

Another way Tiffany marked his lamps was with a signature. These signatures could be found on the base of the lamp, often engraved or stamped on the metal. The signature usually consisted of the words “Tiffany Studios New York” and a model or order number. However, not all lamps were signed, and not all signatures were created equal. Some signatures were more elaborate than others, and some were even faked by companies attempting to pass off their copies as genuine Tiffany lamps.

Number:

In addition to labels and signatures, Tiffany also began numbering his lamps. This helped him keep track of his designs and made it easier to identify lamps that had been copied by other companies. These numbers were usually stamped on the base of the lamp, either alone or as part of a signature.

What to Watch Out For:

While examining the markings on a lamp can be helpful in identifying whether it’s a genuine Tiffany lamp, it’s important to remember that not all markings are created equal. To avoid falling victim to fakes or copies, it’s important to be aware of some of the common markings used by fraudulent lamp makers.

Fake Signature:

One of the most common ways for fake lamp makers to deceive buyers is by creating fake signatures. These signatures may look authentic at first glance, but upon closer inspection, they may be poorly engraved or even stamped on. Another red flag is if the signature appears on a part of the lamp that is not typically marked by Tiffany, such as the shade or the inside of a base.

Fake Label:

Another common trick used by fraudulent lamp makers is to create fake Tiffany labels. These labels may look official, but they are usually poorly printed and lack the attention to detail that was characteristic of Tiffany’s labels. Additionally, a fake label may be placed on the outside of the shade, which is not where Tiffany typically placed his labels.

No Markings:

Finally, be wary of lamps that don’t have any markings at all. While it’s true that not all Tiffany lamps were marked, the vast majority were. If a lamp is supposedly a Tiffany lamp but has no markings whatsoever, it’s likely a copy or a fake.