A look at the geometric designs of Tiffany lamps

Tiffany lamps consist of five different design categories, one of which is Geometric Design. To better understand these designs, it is imperative that you understand that geometric designs encompass the shapes used in geometry, such as squares, rectangles, circles, and triangles.

Geometric designs are often very symmetrical and incorporate a repeating pattern. Some of the lamps within this category consisted of simple designs such as: plain squares, sun shades, and straight panels. The only thing that sets these understated designs apart from other lamps is the use of Tiffany-colored glass.

While many of Tiffany Lamps’ geometric designs are very linear, Louis Comfort Tiffany managed to create some amazing pieces using these simple and basic shapes. The Nautilus Seashell is one of these lamps. Using only squares and rectangles, Tiffany managed to fashion a beautiful seashell lamp that is worthy of Captain Nemo’s ship in Jules Verne’s favorite 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

Another geometric design that is very unique is the spider web. The lampshade is made up solely of rectangles. What sets this lamp apart from the rest (besides the gorgeous colored glass) is that a chandelier graces the top with its eight legs that extend out the sides of the lampshade.

The lotus leaf is another famous Tiffany design that boggles the mind when it comes to its geometric design. Composed solely of squares and triangles, this Tiffany lampshade rises and falls like an accordion on all sides with welding effects that cannot be described in mere words. Another attribute that is unique to the lotus leaf design is that the lampshade tilts downward at a partial angle before curving outward, hollowing out the light.

The geometric designs of Tiffany lamps prove that there is nothing boring about squares, rectangles, circles and triangles. Louis Comfort Tiffany used these basic shapes to show the world that there is no limit to what imagination can do with limited resources.