Archive | June, 2010

Is A Dragonfly Lamp Right For You?

Dragonfly Tiffany LampSo you’re looking for a lamp that decorates the room and resonates with you personally; one to illuminate both your home and your life. It’s no easy task to find the perfect piece. It can take days, weeks or even months to find the lamp that’s right for you. Maybe you need a focal point for your living room? Or a conversation piece? A light for late-night journal writing? Consider a dragonfly tiffany lamp. The tiffany is a classic that brings color and elegance into your home. The dragonfly, with its positive meanings, will uplift and inspire.

Dragonflies symbolize maturity. In particular, they represent the sense of knowing oneself. Dragonflies are born in and remain around water in a larva state for most of their lives. Only toward the very end do they grow wings and fly. Therefore the creatures we recognize as dragonflies signify the point where intellect (air) finally balances and tempers emotion (water).

Dragonflies are a sign of new beginnings. They dance on the wind–a force that brings renewal and change to the world. They are expert fliers and can move forward, backward, up, down and hover in one place. With two sets of wings they can choose their speed and direction or simply float on the breeze.

Dragonflies represent love. The reason that dragonflies take flight in the final stage of their lives is to mate. The sight of two dragonflies together is considered a sign of impending romance and good fortune.

The dragonfly is featured on a number of original tiffany lamps. Dragonflies are positioned swirling around the shade, flying downward or even facing each other. Some of the more intricate ones use dragonflies with overlapping wings to form the edge of the shade.

If you find yourself drawn to these mystical insects or you’re moving toward a feeling of finally knowing yourself, take a look at the tiffany dragonfly lamp. You can find dragonflies on floor lamps, table lamps, pendant lamps, chandeliers and sconces. Does the action of the swirling dragonfly pattern attract you? Or do you prefer the symmetry of the downward dragonfly design? Are you partial to neutral colors or bright jewel tones? If you can, invest in a lamp made with organic materials such as bronze and glass. If you want the look and don’t have the budget, go for plastic and resin. Most importantly find a lamp that means something to you, that will grow with you and bring light to your home and your life. Keep the dragonfly in mind the next time you go searching for that perfect lamp.

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The Art and Beauty of Tiffany Lamps

Pendant Tiffany Lamp - Laburnum Pattern

Pendant Tiffany Lamp - Laburnum Pattern

Tiffany lamps were created by decorator and designer Louis Comfort Tiffany. They were produced by his company, Tiffany Studios, from the 1890’s until the 1920’s. They featured colorful glass panels held together by metal and were centered around themes in nature. The lamps were fashionable with high society members and became a symbol of opulence. Eventually they fell out of favor and Tiffany Studios went bankrupt, but in the 1950’s Tiffany’s art enjoyed a rediscovery of sorts. Today Tiffany reproductions and Tiffany style lamps have become popular once again.

The Tiffany lamp was developed as a result of Louis Tiffany’s study of lighting and color. He wanted to bring the beauty of stained glass windows into the average home. His lamps were made primarily from leaded glass with a bronze base. Occasionally a base would be formed from glass or glass mosaic. The theme of the lamp was extended from the shade through to the base making the entire product a work of art. While the Tiffany lamp is usually identified with the traditional table lamp, there are also Tiffany floor lamps, pendant lamps, Tiffany chandeliers, lanterns and sconces.

Tiffany had an affinity for nature and spent much of his time sketching the gardens of his home. As a result, the lamps Tiffany created were filled with nature-inspired designs such as flowers, trees, fruits, insects and fish. Some of the most famous Tiffany designs include the dragonfly, magnolia, cobweb and lily lamps.

Today a true Tiffany lamp is considered a collector’s item and most are housed in museums and private collections. They can fetch from the thousands to the hundreds of thousands of dollars. For the average consumer, there are many affordable Tiffany style lamps on the market. There are reproductions of the original Tiffany’s and some new creations. There are cheap alternatives that use plastic shades and resin bases or more expensive versions that follow traditional Tiffany glass and bronze construction. Regardless of budget or taste, there is a beautiful, colorful, inspirational lamp out there for everybody.

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