12 Wildly Expensive Tiffany Lamps — and Why Some Sold for Millions
Tiffany lamps have evolved past simple lighting fixtures. Featuring elaborate stained glass and intricate designs, they’ve now become decorative statements that show off wealth and status. Meticulously handcrafted in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, these beautiful lamps encapsulate the Art Nouveau movement. From timeless floral pieces to modern designs that mimic nature and foliage, here are 12 incredibly expensive Tiffany lamps that routinely fetch over seven figures at auction.
Planning to bid on your own Tiffany lamp? Read our guide to the common mistakes people make at auctions first.
1. Pond Lily Table Lamp
Sold for: $3.3 million
Depicting a lily pond motif in vibrant greens, yellows, and whites, this lamp from 1903 is a masterpiece of glass artistry. The intricate craftsmanship in creating each lily petal, coupled with the light and shadow on the shade’s surface, make it a standout among collectors. As one of Tiffany’s most rare and iconic lamps, it sold for a staggering $3,372,500 at an auction in 2018, smashing records for the most expensive lamp ever sold.
2. Pink Lotus Lamp
Sold for: $2.8 million
Dazzling collectors with its blooming lotus petals rendered in hues of pink, purple, and gold, this “Pink Lotus” lamp sold for nearly $3 million at a Christie’s auction in 1997. Each petal was individually cut and soldered to create an iridescent three-dimensional effect. The use of Favrile glass also helped it shimmer and change hues depending on the angle of the light.
3. Trumpet Creeper Table Lamp
Sold for: $2.2 million
A quintessential example of Tiffany’s love for nature themes (particularly vines), this lamp features an elaborate design of a creeping vine motif. Crafted from hundreds of individual glass pieces, the “Trumpet Creeper” (alas, not sure where the name comes into play) also comes with a bronze base designed to resemble twisting vines. The lamp cemented its status as one of the brand’s most popular and expensive pieces, and sold for $2,295,000 at a Sotheby’s auction in 2018.
4. Pony Wisteria Lamp
Sold for: $1.6 million
Featuring shades of lilac, cobalt, and periwinkle, the “Wisteria” line is one of the brand’s most popular and well-known designs. This lamp dates all the way back to 1905, and is paired with lush green and brown foliage to create a lifelike depiction of a blooming wisteria plant. Praised for its intricate glasswork and sturdy bronze base, it sold for a mind-boggling $1,633,000 at auction.
5. Wisteria Lamp
Sold for: $1.5 million
Showcasing cascading shades of purple, blue, and lavender glass to mimic wisteria blossoms, this lamp was made by piecing together more than 2,000 individually-cut pieces of glass. It also features an irregular, tree-like bronze base that resembles crawling vines. Rare and complex, the “Wisteria” line is considered a crown jewel — and its astronomical price tag reflects that.
6. Elaborate Peony
Sold for: $1.5 million
Glowing with shades of red, pink, and green, this lamp aims to mimic the beauty and lushness of peony gardens. The meticulous arrangement of its glass panels, combined with its domed shape, creates a dramatic and timeless effect that’s cherished among collectors. Crafted in the early 1900s, the design captures Tiffany designer Clara Driscoll’s ability to evoke emotion and beauty through light. It sold for $1,538,500 at an auction in 2009.
7. Cobweb Lamp
Sold for: $1.1 million
This lamp is seen as a departure from Tiffany’s more traditional nature themes, as it features an intricate cobweb pattern interwoven with spider motifs. The amber and golden hues mimic the glow of sunlight through a web to create a warmer, ethereal tone. Still, the rare and whimsical design makes it valuable among collectors, with one selling for $1,155,000 at auction.
8. Butterfly Table Lamp
Sold for: $768,600
Showcasing butterflies in flight, this lamp renders shades of blues, oranges, and yellows in a vibrant glass panel. Each butterfly looks whimsical and life-like, complete with intricate details that make them look as though they might fly off at any moment. The design’s nature-inspired theme, coupled with its rustic base, add to its appeal; one sold for over $700k at auction.
9. ‘Oriental Poppy’ Floor Lamp
Priced at: $400,000 – $600,000
Standing at over 6 feet tall, this lamp can also double as a point guard for the NBA. Adorned with a leaded glass shade, it features life-like petals and leaves to recreate the essence of flowers in bloom. Praised for its rarity and craftsmanship, with both the shade and base bearing the Tiffany Studios’ New York stamp, it’s priced at over half a million dollars.
10. Peacock Table Lamp
Priced at: $120,000 – $180,000
Crafted around 1904, this “peacock” table lamp is another example of the brand’s dedication to intricate designs and its focus on natural beauty. Featuring a leaded glass shade to capture the majestic beauty of peacock feathers, it has hues of blues, greens, and purples that are arranged to mimic the bird’s plumage. The patinated bronze stand, which is adorned to mimic the body of the bird, make it stand out as both a functional item and a work of art.
11. Dragonfly Table Lamp
Sold for: $239,400
Dragonflies — a recurring motif in Tiffany designs — take flight across this sparkling lamp shade. Set against a gold-toned mosaic glass with textured wings and eyes, the dragonflies bring a sense of movement and joy to the piece. This lamp was recently auctioned off for $239,400.
12. Daffodil Lamp
Priced at: $40,000 – $60,000
Featuring bright daffodil flowers, this lamp from 1910 captures the joy and effervescence of spring. Set against a green and yellow backdrop, the “Daffodil” lamp is a favorite among collectors seeking a more vibrant and uplifting aesthetic.