Museum Collections
Luce Center
Dragonfly table lamp
Leaded glass and bronze "Dragonfly" table lampshade; 16" diameter cone-shaped shade with seven dragonflies repeated around circumference of shade; dragonfly bodies are dark red, wings yellow-green, and eyes green; wings are covered with metal filigree; heavily textured background glass is dark red, becoming greenish in upper third; oval red and green "jewels" used in upper third of shade. Shown on "Spun oval" bronze table lamp base with glass tiles (N84.52.2), and with cap (N84.52.3).
The dragonfly shade, one of Tiffany Studios' most popular models, was designed by Clara Driscoll around 1899. Tiffany employed many skilled women, who were responsible for some of his most successful shade designs. Clara Driscoll began as a Tiffany designer in 1887, and by 1904 she was among the highest-paid women in the United States. The base is the Spun Oval Base designed c. 1900-1906.