Your Old Tiffany Lamp Could Actually Be Worth A Ton Of Money

Sometimes, a light bulb goes off, and you get the notion to sell an old Tiffany lamp. You know the kind: warmly lit, gem-colored stained glass; copper-foiled into a lampshade inspired by the wonders of nature and geometry, usually sitting atop a bronze base.

These stunning examples of Art Nouveau (or is it Art Deco?) illuminated artistry from the late 1890s were first created by Louis Comfort Tiffany, and made with great attention to beauty and detail by every artisan who worked for his company, Tiffany Studios. Louis, the lamp Tiffany man, is not to be confused with his father, Charles Lewis Tiffany, the other Tiffany man famous for creating shiny treasures that have stood the test of time with jewelry mainstay, Tiffany & Co.

Real, classic Tiffany Studios lamps are exceedingly rare, and can be sold for the thousands on online marketplaces like eBay, or sold for even the millions by fine auction houses like Christie's and Sotheby's. While some would be hesitant to sell off such relics, you may be ready to. Maybe the lamp is something you've inherited, or snatched up at an estate sale or thrift store. Maybe you're just getting into the world of antiquing, and want to hunt and sell the ultimate night light. Either way, a little light must be shed on telling true Tiffany lamps from imposters, as well as what kinds of Tiffany lamp treasures are worth more than others.

Tiffany lamps have a timeless, luxuriant quality that make them feel at home next to globes and shiplap alike. Tiffany lamps call to mind stately libraries, vast museums, and endless online aisles of "Tiffany style" lamps on e-commerce sites like Wayfair and Amazon.

Interest in Tiffany style lamps continues to go strong, which means official (and valuable) Tiffany Studios lamp reproductions might be needles in a haystack of pale and not-so-pale imitators. While some less-authenticated Tiffany style lamps sell for high amounts on eBay, the genuine article is worth vast amounts more at auction.

Authenticity is the first factor in determining value of Tiffany lamps, and can be very hard to detect by the untrained eye. If you think you have a rare specimen on your hands, you may need to go to a specialist to confirm. Any photographs and documents that came with your lamp can help with authentication and valuation. Restoration and rewiring hundred-year-old lamps isn't always frowned on when it comes to the value of Tiffany lamps, but the better and less noticeable the restoration, the better your price may be. Also, original parts and shades are prized, even if their condition isn't pristine. Condition is a key factor in pricing real Tiffany lamps for resale, but if you have a Tiffany Lamp with a clear provenance, original parts, and a couple of dings, you still could do well at auction.

Original Tiffany lamps were made from 1890-1930. These lamps, designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany and the "Tiffany girls" who worked as his leading leaded glass cutters and artisans, including Clara Driscoll, are often sold for high prices at auction. These pieces are usually stamped with "Tiffany Studios" on the lamp's base, but beware of forgeries.

In December 2018, Christie's auctioned off a rare 1903 "Pond Lily" table lamp for $3,372,500. Very few exist, and of those that survive, five are on display in museums across the country. Of course, not all Tiffany lamps that sell for prices in the stratosphere are in mint, museum-pristine condition. Some have seen some life. Also in 2018, Sotheby's auctioned off a lightly restored "Snowball" floor lamp, complete with hairline cracks and signs of gentle wear and tear, for $1,095,000.

Not all valuable Tiffany lamps sell at fine auction houses, or for millions. In November 2024, a "Wisteria" table lamp sold on eBay for $9,550. In December 2024, a bronze Tiffany Studios lamp base in need of repair sold for $2,200. Even a damaged trio of small Tiffany lamp shades meant for a larger lamp sold for $600 in November 2024. The value of these genuine articles can be as stunning as the opalescent Tiffany glass they're made of.