Original tulip shade wood block from Tiffany Studios

This rounded wooden model provided the shape for the sixteen-inch "Tulip" shade (see 2011.99.3) produced by Tiffany Studios. A partial, colored design on linen was affixed to the block to provide the pattern, and then the individual pieces of glass, which had been cut out with the help of brass templates, were assembled on the wooden form like a jigsaw puzzle. The pattern was repeated three times around the shade.
Tiffany Studios (1902-1932) became well-known for its leaded-glass products, including lampshades (see 1974.214.15a,b; 1986.81.1a,b,c; 2011.99.3). During the course of its operation, the lampshade department was one of the most innovative and successful craftsmen's shops in America. The American Wing’s collection includes several objects involved in the fabrication of Tiffany’s glass lampshades such as: a workbench (1980.497.1), cartoons (1980.497.14), tools for cutting glass (1980.497.2,.3), and foil (1980.497.6,.7), for soldering lead (1980.497.8,.9), as well as photographs of workers in the department (1980.497.23-.25). When the department closed, its head, John Dikeman (1882–1967), retained the equipment for his own use in restoring Tiffany glass and decorative artifacts.