Wisteria Library Lamp

ca. 1901

ORIGINAL COLLECTION

In the late 1960s or 1970s, Dr. Neustadt balked at a $4,000 price tag for this Wisteria lamp. He called the price "fantastic" since Wisteria lamps were selling for around $2,000. After several weeks of pining and unsuccessful negotiating, Dr. Neustadt eventually caved and paid the asking price. Today, that $4,000 would be a steal: in the last few years, Wisteria lamps have sold at auction for between $350,000 and $1.5 million.

Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company, New York (1892-1902)
Designed by Clara Driscoll (American, 1861-1944)
Leaded glass, patinated bronze 
Diameter 18 in.
Shade and Base: Model no. 342, Wisteria lamp and shade, large
Shade: Marked 27770, 4, 4
Base: Marked TIFFANY STUDIOS / NEW YORK, TIFFANY STUDIOS / NEW YORK / 3158
N.86.IU.08a,b

Photo: David Schlegel